Introduction
The Old Boys Association of Rumfa College, Kano known as Rumfa Old Boys Association (RUMFOBA) held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 6th February 2011. Rumfa College started as Middle School and later transformed into Government College Kano. Among the old students of the college is the present Emir of Kano Alhaji (Dr) Ado Bayero, who is also the Grand Patron of the association.
During the Annual General Meeting, Speeches were delivered by various members of the cross section of the society including both members and guests of the association. After the speeches, certificates of honour were awarded to various members of the society including members of the association, non-members that contributed to the efforts of the association and philanthropists that assisted the school or any of its members, or that assisted the association. In all, One Hundred and Seven-Eight (178) Certificates were prepared to be awarded to various people.
Among the recipients of the certificate of honour is Alhaji Yahya Zimit, a member of RUMFOBA. Alhaji Yahya enrolled into the then Government College, Kano. When RUMFOBA he was among those elected to form executive officers of the association. He was awarded certificate of honour for rendering selfless service to the association.
Another recipient of the certificate is Khadimi al-Qur’an and the Khalifa of Tijjaniyya Alhaji Malam Ishaq Rabi’u. Khalifa Ishaq Rabi’u was honoured for sponsoring 20 students of the College as well as for rendering selfless services to humanity in educational and other sub-sectors of the life.
As we have stated earlier, the occasion comprises speeches as well. Normally, speeches that are delivered during such occasions are expected to raise some issues posing challenge to the community or even the society at large. One issue that was raised in the speeches that were delivered at the occasion which caught my attention is that of the appalling condition of education in Kano State in particular and in the country in general, and the issue of women education.
Appalling Condition Western Education in Kano State
On the issue of appalling condition of education in Kano State, one of the speakers pointed at the hike in student population without commensurate increase in physical facilities that include classrooms and books in the college. The immediate solution to the problems that comes to mind is private participation in the development of education. In this situation, private individuals and groups are expected to assist the educational sector in any of the several ways that includes:
1. Assisting the government by building additional classes in school.
2. Donating relevant textbooks for use in schools.
3. Providing scholarships to students that cannot afford the cost of education.
4. Supporting efforts of government at provision of education.
It should be noted however, that all the speakers did not mention that Nigeria is presently operating under democratic dispensation. And it is normal for democracies to aspire to improve the lot of the masses. In view that education should occupy the exalted position in the budget of any democratic society. Accordingly, Kano State government should be urged to reduce its expenditure on democratic process in favour of educational sector.
One other issue that is particularly crucial and relevant to Kano State government is the Shari’ah Issue. Kano is one of the Shari’ah States in country, meaning that the government of Kano state is being administered according to the provisions of the Islamic provisions of leadership. Islam, being a complete social system that provides ways of managing all the social sub-system including economic system, educational system, social system and legal system (Shari’ah). One of the principal elements that make up the economic system is the institution of Zakkah. Zakkah is the Islamic Tax imposed on any person who possesses money up to certain amount and holds that money for up to a period of one year. Anybody who possesses money that reaches up to the nisab that is the amount stipulated by the Shari’ah should give Two and One Half Percent (2.5%) of his total money. The relevance of Zakkah here is that Kano State government has the right to take Zakkah from eligible Muslims peacefully or forcefully. The money collected as Zakkah can be used as additional resource to fund education.
Kano, being the most populous state in the country is represented in the political circle by the largest number of contingents. Social leaders headed by His Royal Highness, PTA Chairman in the state and the leadership of Inuwar Jama’ar Kano should persuade all political appointees in the state to contribute certain amount of money, to be decided by a Committee, towards educational development of the State.
Kano is largest centre for commerce north of River Niger. It is second only to Lagos in terms of Commerce and industries. It is also the most populated state in the country. Kano has a wide chance of generating huge amount of revenue locally. If all the sources for generating revenue are tapped, the government can make a lot of money which to commit to education.
Lastly but not the least there abound a large number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dealing with various aspects of the social life in Kano. Among the huge cluster of NGOs in Kano political organisations that are created to support one political aspirant or another form the largest segment. These organisations cannot survive without money. These organisations should be persuaded to release part of their operating fund to support education in the state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we congratulate RUMFOBA for holding the occasion, for raising the issues with a view to addressing them by the rightful people. We also congratulate the recipients of the certificate of honour. In addition, we pray that the observations we raised would be considered by those that matter.
The Old Boys Association of Rumfa College, Kano known as Rumfa Old Boys Association (RUMFOBA) held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 6th February 2011. Rumfa College started as Middle School and later transformed into Government College Kano. Among the old students of the college is the present Emir of Kano Alhaji (Dr) Ado Bayero, who is also the Grand Patron of the association.
During the Annual General Meeting, Speeches were delivered by various members of the cross section of the society including both members and guests of the association. After the speeches, certificates of honour were awarded to various members of the society including members of the association, non-members that contributed to the efforts of the association and philanthropists that assisted the school or any of its members, or that assisted the association. In all, One Hundred and Seven-Eight (178) Certificates were prepared to be awarded to various people.
Among the recipients of the certificate of honour is Alhaji Yahya Zimit, a member of RUMFOBA. Alhaji Yahya enrolled into the then Government College, Kano. When RUMFOBA he was among those elected to form executive officers of the association. He was awarded certificate of honour for rendering selfless service to the association.
Another recipient of the certificate is Khadimi al-Qur’an and the Khalifa of Tijjaniyya Alhaji Malam Ishaq Rabi’u. Khalifa Ishaq Rabi’u was honoured for sponsoring 20 students of the College as well as for rendering selfless services to humanity in educational and other sub-sectors of the life.
As we have stated earlier, the occasion comprises speeches as well. Normally, speeches that are delivered during such occasions are expected to raise some issues posing challenge to the community or even the society at large. One issue that was raised in the speeches that were delivered at the occasion which caught my attention is that of the appalling condition of education in Kano State in particular and in the country in general, and the issue of women education.
Appalling Condition Western Education in Kano State
On the issue of appalling condition of education in Kano State, one of the speakers pointed at the hike in student population without commensurate increase in physical facilities that include classrooms and books in the college. The immediate solution to the problems that comes to mind is private participation in the development of education. In this situation, private individuals and groups are expected to assist the educational sector in any of the several ways that includes:
1. Assisting the government by building additional classes in school.
2. Donating relevant textbooks for use in schools.
3. Providing scholarships to students that cannot afford the cost of education.
4. Supporting efforts of government at provision of education.
It should be noted however, that all the speakers did not mention that Nigeria is presently operating under democratic dispensation. And it is normal for democracies to aspire to improve the lot of the masses. In view that education should occupy the exalted position in the budget of any democratic society. Accordingly, Kano State government should be urged to reduce its expenditure on democratic process in favour of educational sector.
One other issue that is particularly crucial and relevant to Kano State government is the Shari’ah Issue. Kano is one of the Shari’ah States in country, meaning that the government of Kano state is being administered according to the provisions of the Islamic provisions of leadership. Islam, being a complete social system that provides ways of managing all the social sub-system including economic system, educational system, social system and legal system (Shari’ah). One of the principal elements that make up the economic system is the institution of Zakkah. Zakkah is the Islamic Tax imposed on any person who possesses money up to certain amount and holds that money for up to a period of one year. Anybody who possesses money that reaches up to the nisab that is the amount stipulated by the Shari’ah should give Two and One Half Percent (2.5%) of his total money. The relevance of Zakkah here is that Kano State government has the right to take Zakkah from eligible Muslims peacefully or forcefully. The money collected as Zakkah can be used as additional resource to fund education.
Kano, being the most populous state in the country is represented in the political circle by the largest number of contingents. Social leaders headed by His Royal Highness, PTA Chairman in the state and the leadership of Inuwar Jama’ar Kano should persuade all political appointees in the state to contribute certain amount of money, to be decided by a Committee, towards educational development of the State.
Kano is largest centre for commerce north of River Niger. It is second only to Lagos in terms of Commerce and industries. It is also the most populated state in the country. Kano has a wide chance of generating huge amount of revenue locally. If all the sources for generating revenue are tapped, the government can make a lot of money which to commit to education.
Lastly but not the least there abound a large number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dealing with various aspects of the social life in Kano. Among the huge cluster of NGOs in Kano political organisations that are created to support one political aspirant or another form the largest segment. These organisations cannot survive without money. These organisations should be persuaded to release part of their operating fund to support education in the state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we congratulate RUMFOBA for holding the occasion, for raising the issues with a view to addressing them by the rightful people. We also congratulate the recipients of the certificate of honour. In addition, we pray that the observations we raised would be considered by those that matter.
