Sokoto gov’s wife restates commitment to safe schools

From Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor’s wife, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, has reaffirmed the state government’s determination to prioritise education and eliminate all forms of violence affecting schoolgirls, including the rising threat of digital abuse.

Speaking at an event on girls’ education in Sokoto, the First Lady described education as the heart of Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s nine-point smart agenda, noting that the administration had continued to invest in improving learning conditions across the state.

According to her the investments, include the provision of classroom furniture and the release of 200,000 monthly imprest to school principals in order to strengthen school management. She said that girl child education cannot thrive in an environment where violence persists, stressing that digital violence from online harassment to cyberbullying was increasingly putting girls at risk.

“Every school must be a sanctuary where our daughters can learn and flourish without fear, whether offline or online,” she stated.

She pledged to work with relevant partners to curb digital violence and ensure safer learning spaces for girls.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, represented by the Director of Administration, Abubakar Umar Salame, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to strengthening protective structures in schools.

Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Female Education Board, Hajiya Halima Ibrahim, called for collective responsibility in advancing girl child education, noting that families, communities and institutions all have vital roles to play.

Goodwill messages were delivered by traditional ruler of Sarkin Yakin Gagi, Alhaji Sani Jabbi; the Gbemisola Yusuff Foundation representative, Aishatu Gbemisola Yusuf and Sokoto State AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Mansur Isa Buhari. Each expressed readiness to deepen partnerships aimed at improving girls’ access to quality education.

The highlight of the gathering was a paper presentation by Aisha Abdullahi, followed by a moving poem performed by Shema’u Zayyanu and Hafsat Aliyu of Nana Girls Secondary School, who paid tribute to the governor’s wife and shared the hopes of young girls across the state.

The event ended with closing remarks from the state ANCOPS president, Muhammad Ikililu, who called for continued collaboration to safeguard the future of Sokoto girls.