Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has lauded the Federal College of Education Technical (FCET) Gusau for its pivotal role in producing qualified teachers for the state’s public schools. His remarks came during a courtesy visit by the FCET Governing Council to the Government House.
Governor Lawal highlighted the significant contributions of FCET Gusau, noting that it has greatly benefited Zamfara and played a crucial role in addressing the state’s educational challenges. He revealed that five of his sisters are alumni of FCET Gusau.
Addressing the state of education in Zamfara, Lawal acknowledged the historical struggles, with the state often ranking at the bottom in national education indices alongside Yobe State. He mentioned that last year, he declared a state of emergency in the education sector due to these issues. The previous administration’s failure to pay NECO and WAEC examination fees exacerbated the situation, but Lawal’s administration has since cleared these debts.
Recent improvements were highlighted by Lawal, including Zamfara’s outstanding performance in the NECO entrance examination for gifted students, where the state was ranked as the top performer in the North and the second-best nationwide.
Lawal assured that the state government is committed to ensuring quality education for every child in Zamfara. Ongoing initiatives include renovating and constructing over 290 schools, providing suitable furniture, and offering continuous teacher training. FCET Gusau is recognized as a key partner in these efforts to enhance the capacity and quality of education in the state.
Earlier, Prof. Muhammad Nuhu, Chairman of the FCET Governing Council, praised Governor Lawal for making education a priority in his administration. He noted the prestigious status of FCET Gusau, which was the only institution of its kind in Nigeria at the time of its establishment. Nuhu also acknowledged the governor’s efforts and the positive impact of his wife, the First Lady, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda, who sponsored 20 students at the college and awarded computers to the top three graduates.