By Musbahu Aminu Yakasai
The Kano State Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at developing knowledgeable, responsible and productive citizens.
The state Commissioner for Education, Gwani Dr Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, stated this during a National Quiz Competition organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) at the Murtala Muhammad Library, Kano.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Educational Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiya Tukur, said education remained a powerful instrument for national development.
He said the education system must prepare young people to understand their rights and responsibilities, respect democratic institutions, appreciate diversity, engage constructively in public discourse and participate responsibly in the affairs of their communities and the nation.
Makoda urged the students to broaden their knowledge, develop confidence and uphold discipline, teamwork, fairness and respect for one another.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NILDS, who was represented by an Assistant Director of the institute, Ali Abdullahi, said the annual competition was organised by NILDS in collaboration with its partners to deepen students’ knowledge of the legislature, democratic governance, civic education and the history of Nigeria’s democracy.
He said the programme was also aimed at promoting reading culture, healthy academic competition and youth participation in democratic processes.
According to him, the institute remained committed to “catching them young” by inculcating democratic values in the next generation of leaders through the educational programme.
The director-general commended the Kano State Government and the Ministry of Education for their support and contributions to the development of education in the state.
At the end of the competition, Nigeria Tulip International College, Kano, emerged winner, while Government Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa, and Government Secondary School, Rano, emerged first and second runners-up respectively.
Special gifts were presented to all participating schools.
