By Albert Akpor
Over the years, the education sector in Adamawa state is one that could best be described  as moribund.  This is so because this very vital sector of the economy received little or no government attention.  It was common sight for pupils and children of school age who were supposed to be in classrooms receiving lessons strolling the streets and idling away.   Some even resorted to anti-social vices.

This of course,  led to the declaration of a ‘state of emergency’ in the sector by  Governor Nurtala Nyako who reports say, was very pained by this ugly reality on assumption of office.  Perhaps reasons adduced for this glaring neglect were either that there were no teachers willing to teach as a result of owed arrears of salaries or that the school buildings have all gone decrepit with no funiture for the pupils and teachers alike to sit and work on.

However, a wind of change seemed to be blowing presently with the appointment two years ago of Dr. Salihu Bakari as the new chairman in charge of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in the state by the Murtala Nyako led administration.  Born 38 years ago, Dr. Bakari, a former university Don whose parents are also classroom teachers was unanimously adjudged the messiah that could resuscitate and reposition the education sector that had lay prostrate several year back in Adamawa state upon his appointment.

No wonder then,  that he was able to turn the table around educationally in the 21 local government areas in just two years.

Speaking on the determination to make the education sector one of the best in the country, the UBE boss said the whole glory goes to the governor for his foresightedness and unquenchable love for capacity building.  According to him,

“When we came on board about two years ago, the education sector in the sate could be said to be in shambles.  But we thank God today that things have changed for good.  As a university lecturer, I would rather my works spoke.  Again, we must give kudos to our amiable governor for his love for capacity building and listening ability.  Appointing me did not come as a surprise anyway,  because I know he knows my worth.

Prior to my appointment he had declared a ‘state of emergency’ in the sector; but today I can beat my chest to say that even the governor is happy with what is presently on the ground.  When I was appointed, I told him the sector would need huge sums to bring it back to its feet and he said I should go ahead.   He was particuarly sad over poor performances in public examinations by pupils from Adamawa state.

A new school building

So,  Money was released without delay and we set out for work.  As I speak, 300 schools have been rehabilitated with state of the art equipment both for pupils and teachers.  The classrooms are also with modern furniture conducive for learning.  Those teachers and pupils you used to see on the streets are all back to classrooms.

The teachers are paid promptly while the pupils are happy receiving lessons in serene and most conducive environment; a clear departure from what it used to be.   Like I said, with the prompt release of funds by the state government coupled with the intervention funds from the federal government through the UBE Commission in Abuja, we had have been able to pursue our transformation agenda with intended passion.

Continuing, Dr. Bakari said, “My belief is that,  if you neglect education, then you are not ready to develop.  But when you show interest in education, it means you want the best for your people because I am prepared to serve my people with all my heart.  Educating the people means peace for the country and that is why my greatest challenge has been to ensure that all children of school age have unfettered access to quality basic education; especially those vulnerable children who come from the villages and hinterlands because there is need to address social justice.

A lot of people have asked where I got my passion from and I tell them that my father is teacher, my grandfather also a teacher and I was a teacher prior to appoinment; so why would I not work with all my heart to ensure that others receive that which I had received.  Apart from rehabilitating the 300 schools, we have built 120 new schools.  There were schools that had no government presence since their establishment 20-25 years ago.  But today we have classrooms, pipe born water, free textbooks and even computer rooms with internet facilities.

A year ago, we procured 900,000 textbooks and this year we have also bought 800,000 textbooks for distribution to pupils.  We equally made sure that free uniforms were provided for the pupils and this we have done in the past two years; this is in addition to having upgraded 21 central primary schools to purely model schools.  We therefore, struggling to see if we can have between 60 to 70 model schools in the state spread evenly across the 21 local government areas at the end of this year.  Presently the state can comfortably boast of 3,500 new classrooms within thisd period under review.”

Some respondents in the state including Mahmud Abubakar, a secretary with the ministry of education in Jada local government area who corroborated Dr. Bakari’s claims described him as “God sent” to the state.  Said Mahmud Abubakar,  “What I will say of Dr. Bakari is that he is simply marvelous; do what others could not do.  The Jade central primary school,  the Alma-Mata of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar which was long abandoned has been rehabilitated to a model school.

This man pays salary as and at when due and this is why evertbody is singing his praises.  Adamawa has 21 local government areas and every area has a central nursery and primary school; what you expect to see in a private school, you will see it here in the central nursery and primary schools spread across the local council areas.  Each of the schools has a standard library, ICT room and of course, basic science laboratory.”