The Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has hailed President Tinubu for his benevolence in granting developmental requests coming from Kaduna State either through him or the State Governor, Uba Sani.
He said the Zaria Federal Constituency has greatly benefited from many federal government intervention projects since 2023, with promises of additional ones.
Abbas made the observation on Friday, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and himself were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the development of education in Nigeria, particularly in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued by Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker said the honours, conferred through awards of excellence to both the President and the Speaker, were done by the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Zaria chapter, in collaboration with the Local Government Education Authority, and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
He explained that the awards were given during one of the events marking the two-year anniversary of the Speaker, tagged ‘Iyan Day,’ in recognition of the Speaker’s traditional title of Iyan Zazzau on Friday.
According to the statement, “The Speaker expressed gratitude to them for recognizing the fact that without the support of President Tinubu, Zaria Federal Constituency wouldn’t have had the opportunity of enjoying the level of democratic dividends it currently attracts through him.”
The President’s award was received on his behalf by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Ubah Maigari Ahmadu, while Speaker Abbas did the presentation.
The Speaker said, “I remember when I was a teacher, not many will have the courage to combine teaching and learning. I was able to combine teaching and studying at the same time. In those days in Zaria, we were blessed early on to have many institutions, unlike other parts of the North, and I took advantage of that opportunity to further my education.
Speaker Abbas, who was visibly touched by the acknowledgement and gesture of the teachers, informed them that his interventions were based on his love for education and the teachers’ profession, which provided the foundation for his personal growth and development.
“I am sincerely touched by this gesture of yours, which you did out of your own free will; nobody prompted you. I never asked for recognition for whatever I do because I do things purely out of my love for education and the teaching profession that paved the way for me to be where I am today. So, there is no iota of political coloration whatsoever.
The Speaker also called for the reviving of inter-house sports competition among primary schools, as well as secondary schools, to help develop young talents.
He equally advocated for the return of quiz competition among schools, recalling that one of such competitions he sponsored in his early days in the House produced some bright minds, who went on to excel both at home and abroad.
The Speaker also called for the reestablishment of Boys Scouts and Girls Guides in schools, saying he was an ardent promoter of the initiatives during his teaching days. He was sad that such lofty youth outfits were allowed to die down across the country.
Stakeholders at the event included the Chairman of the Zaria Local Government, Jamil Ahmad Muhammad; the Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Muhammad Mubarak, as well as the Executive Secretary of Zaria Local Education Authority, Dr Hassana Muhammad.
