First Lady Gives N20m To Gombe Qur’anic Champion

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has honoured 19-year-old Maryam Ibrahim Dan’azumi, winner of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Saudi Arabia, with a cash gift of N20 million.

The First Lady presented the gift when Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, led Maryam, her parents, teachers and other members of a state delegation to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Key Highlights

• First Lady Oluremi Tinubu honours Maryam Dan’azumi with N20 million.
• Maryam emerged overall winner of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition.
• She represented Nigeria in the category for memorisation of the entire Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation.
• Her victory came in the first year female contestants were admitted to the competition.
• Gombe State highlighted its Tsangaya Integrated School System and Almajiri education programme.
• Maryam’s elder sister, Hajara, previously won an international Qur’anic competition in Jordan.

Maryam Wins International Qur’anic Competition

Maryam, a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School for Qur’anic Memorization, Gombe, emerged overall winner after competing against hundreds of contestants from several countries.

She represented Nigeria in the category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation, covering 60 Hizb with Tafsir.

Her victory was described as historic because it came in the maiden year female contestants were admitted into the 46-year-old competition.

Receiving the delegation, Tinubu described Maryam as a source of pride to Nigerian women and the girl-child. She commended her parents, teachers and the Gombe State Musabaqa Committee for their contributions to her success.

“Maryam has brought joy to us. You have made us proud by conquering the world, especially in this area of faith and divine knowledge,” the First Lady said.

First Lady Commends Gombe Education Programmes

Tinubu also commended Governor Yahaya for his administration’s focus on education, gender inclusion and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.

She specifically praised Gombe State’s Tsangaya Integrated School System and Almajiri education programme, describing them as initiatives worthy of replication across Nigeria.

The First Lady recalled her visit to Gombe and said she witnessed the state’s approach to inclusive education and governance. She stressed the need to address challenges affecting Almajiri and out-of-school children.

According to her, the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative also prioritises support for women, the girl-child and vulnerable Nigerians.

Tinubu urged Maryam to remain humble, uphold her values and serve as a role model to other young Nigerians. She also encouraged her to seek inspiration and mentorship from accomplished Nigerian women, including Gombe State First Lady, Dr Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and former House of Representatives member Aishatu Jibril Dukku.

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Yahaya: Maryam’s Victory Is Nigeria’s Achievement

Earlier, Governor Yahaya said he brought Maryam to the Presidency to demonstrate that her achievement was a source of pride not only to Gombe State but to the entire country.

“We wanted to show how grateful we are and to demonstrate that this pride is not for Gombe alone, but for the entire nation. We also want this achievement to inspire others,” Yahaya said.

The governor described Maryam’s victory as significant because she competed against hundreds of contestants from around the world and emerged overall champion representing Nigeria.

“We are grateful that she is our daughter from Gombe, but most importantly, she is a Nigerian who went, saw and conquered on behalf of Nigeria,” he added.

Yahaya also disclosed that Maryam’s elder sister, Hajara, had previously represented Nigeria at an international Qur’anic competition in Jordan and emerged overall winner.

He described the achievements of the two sisters as a blessing to Gombe State and Nigeria.

The governor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for identifying with Maryam’s achievement through a presidential statement, describing the gesture as recognition of excellence among young Nigerians.

He recalled that his administration had promised to honour Maryam upon her return from Saudi Arabia, adding that her presentation to the First Lady represented a fitting national recognition of her accomplishment.

Yahaya further reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering women and creating opportunities for them to realise their potential, citing the appointment of women to strategic positions in the state.

Almajiri Education Receives Commendation

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr Mohammed Sani Idris, commended Gombe State for its commitment to education, particularly programmes targeting Almajiri and out-of-school children.

Idris urged other state governments to consider similar interventions, saying broader adoption could contribute to addressing challenges associated with Almajiri and out-of-school children.

He described Maryam’s achievement as evidence that Qur’anic education could complement formal education, allowing young people to pursue conventional education while acquiring knowledge of the Qur’an.

School Credits Preparation for Success

Speaking on behalf of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School, Herwagana Quarters, Gombe, the Director of Administration, Prof Tahir Inuwa, attributed Maryam’s success to sustained preparation and commitment to excellence.

He explained that Maryam had emerged victorious at the local government and state levels before winning the national competition and subsequently representing Nigeria in Saudi Arabia.

Inuwa commended Governor Yahaya for his support for the school, the Musabaqa Committee and education generally, saying Gombe was increasingly becoming a reference point for inclusive education. Details of the King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition are published by the Saudi Press Agency.

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