Sokoto: A Nigerian State’s collaborative approach to education development of self
By Bashir Adefaka, Editor
This explains how the marking of 20th year of rapid growth and development cum 16th year of holding annual general meetings in the anal of SEDTF came about in a way that stands Sokoto people out as special people with special design for lifting their own destiny their own way. It is therefore no wonder how the continuous development, socially, politically and economically, even religiously, the Sokoto State has witnessed has come about. It is so much so that, in the face of dwindling economy before the recent year recession in the country, Sokoto State is and has never been part of states owing its workers, whereas even states of the federation which take federal allocation far higher than it takes has become ridiculed by their failure to manage the crisis.
Sokoto State community is said to be, unarguably, the first of the firsts in Nigeria particularly in the Northern part as far as peace, love, contentment and commitment to self development without having to lean on or wait for outside support are concerned, which explains why people from far and near want to visit to feel the sweet experience of the Nigeria’s most peaceful state.
This is coming from the standpoint of the fact that while many others have waited endlessly for what the governments would do for them, even in other muchmouthed economic giant parts of the country so heavily endowed with natural resources, to get themselves on as far as education development is concerned, people of the state, which has the honour of being blessed with the custodianship of the Seat of the Caliphate, do not wait as, starting from the era used to be known as Sokoto Province (comprising Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi) after the assassination of his illustrious son and Premier of Northern Religion Sardauna Ahmadu Bello in the Chukwuemeka Nzeogwu-led coup of 1965, they had been quick to realise the role of education in development and so had swung into action to independently find a way of lifting itself up with it in order to to lag behind among others either in the North or Nigeria as a whole.
Sequel to this effort was why the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund (SEDTF) held its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) during which the past and present of the idea, muted by Old Boys Association of Government College Sokoto and inaugurated as Sokoto Province Education Development Fund (SPEDF) by late Premier Ahmadu Bello, in 1965, were brought to the fore with intent to perfecting same for a better future of the state. It is strictly self effort of eminent indigenes of the Sokoto State concerned about how to advance the course of their people particularly the less privilege educationally and, by extension, vocationally.
This year’s edition of the meeting, as it usually happens, was held at the main hall of the Sultan of Sokoto’s Palace, Sokoto, on Saturday Shawwal 2, 1439AH equivalent to June 16, 2018 that was next day to the Eid-el-Fitri festival. The event, naturally hosted by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, a member of the institute (mni) and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), also had in attendance committed stakeholders inclusive of the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, immediate past Governor of the state and now serving member of the Nigeria’s Eighth Assembly, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Sultanate Council Moonsighting Committee, Prof. Sambo Haliru, Galadiman Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, and other Sokoto indigenes from all walks of life including the Federal, State and Local Government legislatures, business men and others.
The evolution, growth and development of the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund (SEDTF) was formally concluded with its set-up now in present day Sokoto State and not larger Sokoto Province via Edict No.3 of 1999 signed by the then Military Administration of Group Captain Rufa’i Dan Asabe Garba on May 27, 1999. The Military Administration of Navy Captain Rasheed Adisa Raji commenced the process that led to SEDTF as it launched an Education Development Appeal Fund which was supposed to give birth to Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund to which the Sokoto Province Education Development Fund of old (comprising Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi) metamorphised 20 years ago following the Appeal Fund launched in 1998 by Navy Captain Raji on the advice of Sokoto Elders Committee headed by former President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR, for the New Sokoto State (now without Zamfara and Kebbi states). It was however Group Captain Dan Asabe Garba, who succeeded Navy Captain Raji who concluded the process with the Edict No.3 he signed on May 27, 1999 just two days before he handed over to elected Governor Attahiru Bafarawa.
In a foreword to the current edition of SEDTF magazine, a publication of the Fund, the Editor-in-Chief, Muhammad Abdullahi Sokoto, told a story of ups and downs encountered by the Trust Fund soon after its take off. He noted that the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund, which had earlier undergone some metamorphosis from the olden days of the late 60s to evolve and revolve around the main emphasis of its establishment even if to reflect on the vision of the founding fathers, provides itself with the laudable achievements that resonate well with the yearnings and aspirations of the initiators.
Continuing the EiC averred that with the Fund’s Alhaji Shehu Shagari-led Board of Trustees (BOT) set up in May, 1999 the goal was to focus on some salient areas that needed supportive hands from public spirited individuals as it relates to education generally exploiting the skills and wisdom of experienced and well tested educationists and tested administrators to tap from their vast experience to make acquisition of education as accessible as possible for Sokoto State iindigenes.
He went on to specifically state that successes now notwithstanding, the SEDTF has not been free of problems as, according to him, it went to the extent of near extinction soon after its take off in 1999 “due to the lukewarm attitude of the Civilian Administration of that time who perceived the Trust Fund as a foe instead of partner in progress”.
At a point, the foreword continued, the then Administration attempted to strangle the Trust Fund beside starving it of funds to actualize its mission, adding that the said administration (of another Sokoto indigene) starved the Fund to near proscription “if not for the wisdom and foresight of the Members of the BOT who quickly and promptly moved to register the Trust Fund as a non-governmental organisation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Part of the challenges that faced the laudable Fund under that administration was said to also include that of the diminishing financial position caused largely by the monumental loss of the proceeds of money realized at the launching of the Appeal Fund and deposited with the State Government owned Sakkwato Savings and Loans Ltd. It was said that a large proportion of the amount realized during the launch was not accounted for thereby leaving the BOT in a dilemma as to how to go about their envisaged activities, which made it imperative for “responsible and respectful gentlemen” to approach the then Sultan of Sokoto, His late Eminence Muhammadu Maccido Abubakar III, CFR, who conceded to their request to convene an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of prominent people of Sokoto State origin in 2002 to lay before them the problems of education in the state and solicit for moral and financial support from them.
“Since that time”, the editor stated, “the tempo has been maintained by the present Council under Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, who has been up and doing in ensuring the success of the Trust Fund in particular and education in general.” The foreword did not conclude until it has pointed out the indelible contribution of the Aliyu Magatakarda Civilian administration which, it stated, has to a great extent assisted in the growth and development of the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund in terms of moral and financial support up to the moment.
“It was the administration of Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko that came to the rescue of the SEDTF by allocating it a Permanent Secretariat at Villa 9, Ex-Commissioners Quarters off Sama Road, Sokoto. Accordingly, the Wamakko government authorized a monthly donation of N250,000 by each of the 23 Local Government Councils in the state in addition to another N5,000,000 monthly donation by the State Government through the Ministry of Education to help in keeping the activities of the Trust Fund going” and the successive administration of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has continued to keep the flag flying with full efforts and support of the Sultan, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
This explains how the marking of 20th year of rapid growth and development cum 16th year of holding annual general meetings in the anal of SEDTF came about in a way that stands Sokoto people out as special people with special design for lifting their own destiny their own way. It is therefore no wonder how the continuous development, socially, politically and economically, even religiously, the Sokoto State has witnessed has come about. It is so much so that, in the face of dwindling economy before the recent year recession in the country, Sokoto State is and has never been part of states owing its workers, whereas even states of the federation which take federal allocation far higher than it takes has become ridiculed by their failure to manage the crisis.
At Saturday June 16th AGM at Gidan Sariki, the sitting Sultan, in his opening remarks, said the Trust Fund is an idea whereby eminent, business and trading sons and daughters of the Sokoto origin come together to contribute to the education especially of the less privilege members of the state’s indigeneship and vowed that he would not allow the money he described as public money to be touched except that it is used for the purpose it is meant to achieve.
In addition, in order to reduce the expenses of the Fund, Sultan Abubakar, who himself is a notable financial member of SEDTF, said he had donated a block of the Sultan’s Guest House at Abuja Road, Sokoto to the committee administrating it, “automatically we have reduced the expenses of the committee as far as office accommodation is concerned”, he said in Hausa.
He then called on indigenes of Sokoto, who have the wherewithal, to contribute towards the set objectives of the committee.
On the issue of development while noting the significance of education, the Sultan noted that for education to bring the desired development to any community or nation, the education its schools impact to its children must be done in its own mother tongue, adding that there could be no talking about development in situation where such community abandons its own mother tongue or language in educating or teaching its children.
He therefore advised members especially those in National Assembly to sponsor a Bill to that effect, even as he called on all eligible contributors to live up to expectation in the overall interest of the Sokoto State community with regard to education and development of its indigenes.
In furtherance to the existing order he met at the time of his takeover of administration of Sokoto State, Governor Tambuwal said his government would try as much as possible to ensure sustained success of the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund, morally and financially.
On behalf of his government, Tambuwal pledged to contribute N500 million to the state Consultative Committee on the Revitalisation of Education at the instance of SEDTF. Governor Aminu Tambuwal announced this at the annual general meeting (AGM).
Tambuwal, who said the move was aimed at enhancing education in the state, added that the contribution would be made before the end of this year.
He stated that friends of the state would be consulted with a view to complementing the modest contribution of indigenes to the committee.
While thanking the Sultan, district heads and other stakeholders in the education sector for their various contributions, Tambuwal reiterated the commitment of his administration towards ensuring the development of education in the state.
Tambuwal’s immediate predecessor, now Senator, Wamakko, did not fail to be part of the active roles at the meeting as he too promised his continuous support.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, appealed to individuals to assist the committee in carrying out its mandate successfully.
He thanked the state government for the support and assistance to the committee which facilitated the effective implementation of its programmes.
The monarch therefore stressed the need for collaboration with well meaning individuals and organisations for the attainment of the set objectives.
Earlier in his speech, delivered on his behalf by Alhaji Idris Koko the Madawakin Gwandu, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Turakin Sokoto, His Excellency Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR, in his capacity as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the 20-year-old Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund, gave accounts of achievements of the Fund in the last one year.
In the speech written and delivered in well structured Hausa Language, Alhaji Shagari listed the achievements which included the administration’s success in ensuring that the number of Sokoto indigenes aspiring to tertiary institutions who sat for Computer-Based Test (CBT) JAMB examination during the year under review had upped from the hitherto 150 to 250 candidates, which he credited to effort of the committee towards achieving its aims and objectives in education development.
Shagari, according to the speech, also said the Fund introduced additional courses in computer education leading to issuance of certificates in order to provide basic knowledge in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for civil servants, businessmen, and that the fund went further to provide tools and equipment to the centre handling knowledge delivery in that direction.
The BOT chairman said, “The committee also provided skill acquisition by which young women are trained at the Maryam Abacha Orphanage Home and Hospital, where these young women are taught how to make soap for watching and bathing, cream for body use, soap for car watching and air dressing.
“This committee also provided assistance distributing to schools including Maryam Abacha Orphanage Home and Hospital, machines worth of N70,000 each for processing the items learned in the skill acquisition programmes.
“480 have (so far in the last one year) graduated from certificate to diploma level in the computer programme the committee established”, and that, “It expanded women associations in Sokoto State from 63 to 102”, expatiating that these women associations are significant mainly for their role in knowledge delivery in the skill acquisition programmes the committee established.”
Concluding, Alhaji Shehu Shagari thanked Allah for His mercy over all of those responsible for the success recorded by the efforts and then thanked the Sultan, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for his moral and financial supports towards achieving what the Fund had made in the last one year.
He then commended the state government for declaring the state of emergency in education even as he thanked and prayed for other indigenes who had contributed while praying also for those who will still contribute in the years ahead.
In her own statement, a research fell and Commissioner for Basic Secondary Education in Sokoto State, Prof. Aishatu Madawaki Isah, corroborating the Sultan’s strong word on impacting knowledge or teaching in mother’s tong to certain ages in the school system, rightly pointed out that in the course of her research work in the past, she had come to realise and establish the fact that children taught in mother longue easily grab new knowledge when taught in their mother tongue. She however pegged the period where mother tongue becomes imperative in knowledge delivery process at first two, three years in primary school system.
History of the Fund
Generally speaking, The DEFENDER’s investigations have revealed, the idea to have a board that will cater for education needs of strictly indigenes of Sokoto State dated back to 8th November 1965 when it was inaugurated by late Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, who was then Premier of Northern Region in then five-year-old independent Nigeria. The inauguration followed the idea muted by Old Boys’ Association of Government College Sokoto to establish a voluntary organisation to revive education in the in the then Province and thus reduce the dependence on government.
But with the death of Sardauna, on whose personality it was discovered that Sokoto Province had so much relied upon and whose death had made the province to lag behind not only in education but also in development, it became imperative for the Sokoto Province to act fast. It was therefore, during a meeting of Northern Leaders of Thought summoned by the Military Governor, Major Hassan Usman Katsina, to discuss the security situation in the country (caused by the coup that killed not only Sardauna but Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa) that members of the Northern Leaders of Thought of Sokoto Province extractions decided that the Province would lag behind other Northern Provinces if nothing was done about vacuum created by the death of Sardauna.
It was then the traditional leader of the time, father of present day Sultan of Sokoto, Sir Sidique Abubakar III and opinion leaders accepted the idea to establish the Education Fund and then decided that every taxable adult in the Sokoto Province should pay an education levy of Three Shillings.
How it was done
Civil servants paid 1/12 of their annual salaries, traders and other self employed people gave their maximum cooperation. The tremendous success recorded in the collection of the money was predicated on the confidence the people had in the traditional rulers and elders placed in charge of the fund.
A committee was therefore set up under the chairmanship of Alhaji Ahmed Danbaba, the Mafaran Sokoto, to administer the disbursement of the money collected leading to the appointment, at that time, of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who later became elected President of Nigeria in 1979, as Executive Secretary of the Fund.
Under that arrangement, a development plan was put in place to establish various types of educational institutions, which included the founding of secondary schools where conventional subjects were taught and comprehensive secondary schools for the teaching of commercial subjects were also established as well.
The development plan also included the opening of agricultural and vocational schools in a way that put the whole plan up as “very ambitious programme”, such that within a few years from take off, what became achievements of the plan had surpassed its set targeted goal.
The establishment of Sokoto Province Education Development Fund (SPEDF) paved the way for the emergence of many primary and secondary schools, thus, an appreciable expansion in the number of secondary schools with a corresponding increase in enrolment as well.
The post primary institutions equally recorded a remarkable improvement because this was the initial area of concentration by the Fund. It can, therefore, according The DEFENDER’s investigations within the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund (SEDTF) as currently reconstituted since the last 20 years be argued that the result of the plan led a noticeable increase in literate population in the Sokoto Province, talking historically.
The Fund, it was further learned, generated the formation of a reservoir from where western educated elites that are now piloting the political, economic, social and educational affairs of the states of old Sokoto Province emerged. It can further be said by way of emphasis that the foundation of the Fund was landmark in the history of educational development of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Furthermore, it was the first time conscious and deliberate effort by the people was made to take their destiny in their own hands and, thanks to successive governments of Sokoto State from the time of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko to the current administration of Megrima Gwamina Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and, untiring efforts of His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the retired but not tired General, what was then in 1965 inaugurated as Sokoto Province Education Development Fund that has now in the last 20 years metamorphosised into Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund has made Sokoto State rise among its peers not only in the North but also in the entire country as sons and daughters of the state are now successful engineers, financial experts, scientists and good materials in other vital developmental fields of study through the concerted effort of the Fund.
