Borno sponsors 50 Boko Haram-orphaned girls to school

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State says his administration remains passionate about “girl-child education,” just as he stressed that no human challenge would bar it from educating children of the under-privileged in society.

Shettima, who spoke in Maiduguri while sending 50 schoolgirls orphaned by Boko Haram to a secondary school in Kaduna State Tuesday said, “This government is passionate about girl-child education because if you educate a girl, you have educated a nation. We won’t allow these lunatics called Boko Haram to derail this vision of educating our young ones, especially our young girls.”

The governor, who said that Islam does not forbid educating girls, described critics of girl-child education as ignorant of Islamic precepts.
“Whoever claims Islam forbids girl-child education or female education is an ignoramus. The truth is that Islam encourages education for our girls… Even the younger wife of Prophet Mohammad used to teach women,” he said.

Shettima, who urged the students not to allow the loss of their parents to dissuade them from achieving their educational pursuits, advised them to study “very hard” so that they can excel and have good stories to tell in future despite the psychological trauma of losing their parents to insurgency.

The governor, who said the school was chosen because of its pedigree, said he plans to visit the students as soon as they settle down.

He gave each of the 50 students N20, 000 as his personal gift, and N100, 000 to each of the officials accompanying them to Zaria. This, according to him, was in addition to the earlier pocket money of N20, 000 provided by the government for each of the 50 students.

Chairman of the State Universal Primary Education Board (SUPEB), Dr. Shettima Kulima, also disclosed that simple but effective examination was conducted at various Internally Displaced People’s (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri to chose beneficiaries. They also underwent oral and written interview, after which the first 50 girls were considered.

He said it would cost the state government N38.2m to train the 50 students including their school fees, other essentials and allowances.

One of the beneficiaries, Aisha Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of others thanked the state government for the gesture and assured that they will pursue their studies with vigour.

She prayed that the state should overcome the insurgency within the shortest period.