Ahmed Aliyu’s Passion for Education Unprecedented, Transforming Higher Institutions – Commissioner
Ahmed Aliyu’s Passion for Education Unprecedented, Transforming Higher Institutions – Commissioner
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Isa Muhammad Maishanu, has said Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto’s passion for education is unprecedented and is fast transforming higher institutions across the state.
Maishanu stated this on Thursday in Sokoto while addressing newsmen, where he reeled out the myriad of achievements recorded by the APC-led administration in the higher education sector from May 29, 2023 to date.
According to him, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu has demonstrated rare commitment to education by injecting huge resources into tertiary institutions and entrusting the three education ministries to three professors — a move he described as unprecedented in the history of the state.
Responding to questions on challenges in the sector, the Commissioner said government is proactively tackling issues of funding and industrial harmony through sustained engagement with unions and strategic partnership with TETFund.
“One of the challenges is to manage institutions of highly enlightened intellectuals.
“That is why we talk of industrial harmony. We have always been engaging all the unions operating in these institutions,” he said.
He noted that while TETFund interventions cover specific areas, the state government is augmenting massively to cover other critical needs, stressing that education is capital intensive but the government remains undeterred.
“The state government is doing a lot in funding higher institutions. Luckily, TETFund is there complementing our efforts.
“Education is very expensive, it is not like road construction which everybody will pass and see, but a lot of money is being injected into higher institutions,” he explained.
On infrastructure, Maishanu said the administration has not neglected internal road networks and other facilities, disclosing that proposals from the polytechnic are receiving attention while rehabilitation work has commenced at the Shehu Shagari College of Education.
“Those who are entering the college now can see that. It is not a neglected area. More will be done.
“This challenge will be presented to His Excellency, In sha Allah,” he said.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the state government is at an advanced stage in securing Federal Government takeover of the state-owned Shehu Shagari University of Education, after over a year of sustained engagements with the Federal Ministry of Education.
“We are almost at the end of the road to achieving that. We are still waiting for the final announcement from the Federal Ministry of Education,” he stated.
He further revealed that following approval at the last Executive Council meeting, contract for the renovation of the collapsed mega auditorium has been awarded and work is already ongoing.
Maishanu, therefore, urged the people of Sokoto State to continue to support Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his massive interventions in the education sector.
“My message to the people of Sokoto is to appreciate, acknowledge and support the Executive Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, for all the interventions he is doing because of his passion for education.
“That is why he gave the three ministries of education to three professors. This is unprecedented in the history of this state,” he said.
