The President of the Nigerian Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS), Professor Musa Abdurrahman Adesina, has announced that delegates from around the world are expected to attend the association’s International Conference in Yola, Adamawa State.
In an exclusive interview with Tribune Online in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, he stated, “Preparations are in top gear for the successful conference slated for next month.”
Professor Abdurrahman explained, “We are in Jigawa State for the NATAIS National Executive Council Committee in preparation for the association’s international conference in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, in November.”
According to the president, “The upcoming international conference comes with numerous challenges, particularly concerning the rising costs of materials and logistics. We had planned the conference last year, but we couldn’t execute it, and the cost of everything is now higher than it was last year. We are in dire need of government support and assistance.”
He further stated, “We are appealing to the governments—not just of Adamawa State but all states in Nigeria, including ours (Jigawa)—to contribute to making the conference a success, as we anticipate massive participation from our national and international members.”
“Some of the expected participants are from Al-Azhar University in Egypt, as well as other European and African countries. Delegates will be coming from all over the world.”
The NATAIS president expressed his gratitude to the government and the governor of Jigawa State for hosting the National Executive Council meeting, as well as for their support and hospitality extended to the committee members during their visit. He also commended the governor for his efforts in promoting Arabic and Islamic Studies education in the state, stating, “Jigawa State has the highest number of public secondary schools dedicated to Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nigeria. This is great and commendable.”
Earlier in his opening speech, the Head of the Education Department at Federal University Dutse (FUD), Professor Abubakar Sani Birnin Kudu, remarked that Jigawa State is unique for having a parallel system of education at the secondary school level, boasting more than 77 secondary schools focused on Arabic and Islamic Studies. “Such a system can be found nowhere else in Nigeria, to the best of my knowledge,” he noted.
Professor Abubakar Sani Birnin Kudu added, “I served as the Chairman of the Arabic and Islamic Education Bureau for four years, from 2019 to 2023. When I was appointed in 2019, there were 47 senior Arabic and Islamic secondary schools. By the time I left in 2023, that number had grown to 73.”
He emphasised, “Jigawa State has been blessed with significant support from the government, which has opened up opportunities in anything related to Islamic and Arabic education.”
“Of course, there are challenges, as in every other agency, but the progress being made is impressive.”
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
