Hail Hon. Dr. Kakale, key proponent of functional education model turbaned Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya at Sultan’s palace
History came full circle in the ancient city of Sokoto, the eternal capital of the famed Usman Danfodio-led Sokoto Caliphate when His Eminence, the deeply revered Sultan of Sokoto, Amirul Mumineen Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar turbanned Hon Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale, the key proponent of the functional education model and Lead Sponsor of the National Commission of Almajiri and Out of School Children Education, as the Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya (Education Ambassador) at the palatial Sultan Palace, Sokoto.
This epoch-making event along with the turbanning of other equally distinguished Nigerians by His Eminence the Sultan, was attended by the political, administrative, academic, traditional and professional elites of the nation and the
Distinguished guests and eminent personalities who graced this historic occasion included the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas; former House Leader, Hon Ado Doguwa; Chairman House Committee on University Education, Hon Abubakar Fulata;
Hon Abdussamad Dasuki, Chairman House Committee on Shipping Services; Hon Abdulmumuni Ari, Chairman House Committee on Traditional lnstitutions, other House Members; Sokoto state Executive Council members,
Senior Sokoto Sultanate Council Members; high powered delegations representing the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out of School Children Education Dr and the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education as well as highly respected representatives of the Alarammas, Imams, Almajiri and Tsangaya Teachers and Students nationwide.
As a key proponent of the Functional Almajiri Education Model under the mantra: ‘Quality, Inclusive and Functional Education With No Child Left Behind’, Hon Balarabe Kakale, who is the Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Education on Almajiri Education has been in the forefront of projecting the trailblazing NESRI Agenda of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa with its emphasis on STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine), Girl-Child Education, TVET (Technical, Vocational Education, Training), Data and Digitalization and Educational Quality Assurance.
Crucially, Hon Balarabe Kakale was the Lead Sponsor of the Bill that created the National Commission for Almajiri and Out of School Children Education (NACOOSE) which is designed to equip pupils and students with sound vocational and technical skills that will enhance their employment opportunities after leaving school.
The National Commission for Almajiri Education will also in its mandate cater for other out of school children nationwide including trade apprentices, migrant fishermen and farmers and motor technicians and apprentices of school age across the six geopolitical zones.
This epochal NCAOOSCE Bill scaled the first, second and third reading stages, conference meetings and concurrence sessions before it was transmitted to the Executive Arm wherein the then President Muhammadu Buhari of blessed memory assented to the Bill as an Act of the National Assembly on the 27th of May 2023 on the auspicious Children’s Day
Additionally, Hon Balarabe Kakale has also established the Honourable Minister’s Grassroots Education Ambassadors project in the six geopolitical zones in conjunction with the Alliance of Civil Societies for Sustainable Inclusive and Transformative Education ( ACSITE).
The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that students in Almajiri schools are properly educated, well catered for, have adequate facilities, are not induced or coerced into begging for alms and are also taught vocational and technical skills along with lslamic education curricula.
Under the purposeful mantra: ‘Quality, Inclusive and Functional Education With No Child Left Behind’,
An appreciative Hon Balarabe Kakale has also acknowledged the supreme role of the Sokoto Caliphate as the progenitor of the lslamic religion in present day Northern Nigeria which was founded on knowledge and education, built by knowledge and education and sustained by knowledge and education while affirming His Eminence Muhammad Saad Abubakar esteemed role as a ‘stalwart pillar of education globally, who unequivocally recognises the primacy of education and the quest for knowledge, numeracy and literacy skills in the overall growth, progress and development of society’.
In his detailed, comprehensive and wide ranging speech at the turbanning ceremony titled ‘A New Dawn For lnclusive Education in Nigeria’, a forward-looking Hon Balarabe Kakale thanked his Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Sultanate Council, his beloved parents, Alhaji Shehu Kakale Shuni, Hajia Halimatu Shehu Kakale, Hajia Asmau Shehu Kakale and Hajia Husaina Shehu Kakale for both this epochal honour and also nurturing him to the level he has attained to be worthy of the royal recognition.
He also thanked Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his invaluable mentorship, his Bodinga, Dange-Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency for availing him of the opportunity of serving them, as
well as his House of Representatives colleagues including co-sponsors of the bill, Hon Aishat Dukku, the Honourable Ministers of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa and Prof Suwaiba Ahmed, and the Executive Secretary of NCAOOSCE, Dr Mohammed Sani Idris for their formulation and implementation of bold policies geared towards advancing Almajiri and functional education objectives across the nation.
In his address, a forthright Hon Kakale called for the Decolonisation and Democratization of Education; A National Policy on Education that explicitly recognizes both the formal (Western) education and the Almajiri and Tsangaya models; lnclusion of the NESRI Agenda in the education system; Adoption of a National Policy on Almajiri Education which will emphasise vocational education, a skills based approach and zero tolerance for begging; States should domesticate the NCAOOSCE Act in their respective domains; Leverage Traditional lnstitutions to Sensitize the People on Almajiri Reforms; Diversify Funding Sources for Almajiri Schools, Programs; lnvolve CIvil Society, Developmental Partners in Almajiri Programs; lnstitutionalise Regular Media Engagements with Almajiri, Tsangaya Stakeholders; Promote Entrepreneurship, TVET and Skills Acquisition as Part of Almajiri Education and and for Sokoto state, ensure the passage of a Law for the Compulsory Teaching of the Contributions of the Sokoto Caliphate to Global lslam, Peace, Economic and Social Development.
Excerpts of Hon Dr. Kakale’s pedagogic speech:
‘MASU DARAJA KUMA MASU GIRMA ALMAJIRAN ILMI,DALIBAN MAKARANTUN ALLO DA ISLAMIYOYI, HAFIZAI, MALAMAI, ALARAMMOMI, LIMAMMAI DA MODIBBOYOYI.
All praise and thanks be to almighty Allah (SWT) for sparing our lives to see this momentous day of my turbanning as the 1st WAKILIN MAKARANTA DAULAR USMANIYYA by His Eminence Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar CFR, mni.
Alhamdulillah.
Alhamdulillah.
Let me profoundly thank my parents Late Alhaji Shehu Kakale Shuni, Hajia Halimatu Shehu Kakale (Inna Malama), Hajia Asmau Shehu Kakale (Maman Yardubu) (Rahimahullahu) and Hajia Husaina Shehu Kakale (Mamman Isah) for nurturing me, raising me, protecting me, educating me and developing me to become whatever I am today. I am eternally grateful to my parents.
Special thanks to my Uncles, Aunties and Siblings of the great Zuri’o’in Shehu Kakale Shuni, Malam Umaru UbanDawaki Tambuwal and Mamar Oroji and my loving Sisters, Brothers, Cousins. I am proud of you all and thank you immensely for all your prayers and continued guidance and support.
With profound sense of gratitude and great respect, I sincerely thank His Eminence Ameerul Mumineen, Sarkin Musulmi, Lamido Julbe, Sultan MUHAMMADU SAAD ABUBAKAR CFR, mni for believing in me and bestowing on me this prestigious title of the first WAKILIN MAKARANTA DAULAR USMANIYYA. I see this recognition as a great responsibility and call to selfless service to our people, nation and the world in the advancement of universal quality education for all children in our communities, states, nation and the world.
His Eminence’s continuous efforts, contributions and interventions at state, national and international fora in the development of education are appreciated by all and sundry.
Let me also proudly thank my Makarantar Allo teachers – who taught me the Holy Quran, Sunnah, Fiqhu, Sirah and Discipline in Malam Mai Wurno of Madunka, Malam Haido (RahimaHullahu) and Mal Ummaru Abdullahi Gajirawo.
A special appreciation of my neighbours and actually now my family, the good people of Gajirawo and by extension Gidan Bawan Allah and Madunka who shaped and moulded our memorable formative years as responsible and disciplined children growing up.
Let me also proudly thank my lovely wife Hajia Hauwau Abubakar Zaki- Sayyida Queen- for her prayers and support throughout our marriage of 22 years. My heartfelt gratitude goes to all my sons, daughters, nieces and nephews – dozens of them from our great families on both our maternal and paternal sides.
To my friends, school mates, medical and health colleagues and leaders of Almajiri schools, Makarantun Allo, Islamiyoyi, CSOs, Journalists/Media in the struggles for Almajiri and Makarantun Allo education reforms and better education for all, I also appreciate you profoundly and respectfully.
Our leaders Mai Girma Sadaukin Sakkwato Malam Lawal Mai Doki and Dr Umar Altine Dandin Mahe and teams I must profusely thank you for your everlasting support, guidance and leadership in our state, national and international struggles to ensure every child gets the quality education he/she deserves in dignity, protection and welfare.
Let me profoundly and immensely thank Sen Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR (Mutawallen Sokoto) for his guidance, mentorship and leadership throughout my political and legislative carrier that shaped by vision and conviction to fight for good governance and sustainable education reforms of the Almajiri and Makarantun Allo systems in Nigeria.
Our working visit to Indonesia with Mal Lawal MaiDoki under Sen Aminu Waziri Tambuwals leadership as Governor of Sokoto state in 2019 to understudy the Indonesian Pondok Pasentren system of Almajiri education with its four pillars of; – Islamic and Quranic education, – Character development, – Literacy, Numeracy, Digital Education and – Vocational, Technical and Entrepreneurship education was what triggered a massive spark in my psyche of the real possibility of reforming the Almajiri and Tsangaya systems in Nigeria. I remain eternally grateful for the opportunity he gave me to serve my state as member of the state executive council and subsequently to the National Assembly.
I am also sincerely thanking the good people of Bodinga, Dange-Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency and Sokoto state for giving me the opportunity to serve as their Representative in the 9th National Assembly which gave me the opportunity to sponsor the Almajiri education reforms Bill.
A special thank you to all the co-sponsors of the Bill especially Rt Hon Aisha Jibril Dukku, former Minister of education (Gimbiyar Dukku and Sarauniyar Tsangayun Kasar Hausa) for her legislative guidance and support during the struggles in the 9th Assembly.
To the entire Members and Senators of the 9th National Assembly, we say a very big thank you for supporting the bill for the establishment of the NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR ALMAJIRI AND OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN EDUCATION signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari (RHMLH) whom we also thank profusely.
To the current Ministers of functional Education Dr Tunji Alausa (CON) and Prof Suwaiba Ahmed and Executive Secretary National Commission for Almajiri and OOSC Education Dr Muhammad Sani Idris (Shettima Ilmuye of Borno) we cant thank you enough for your pragmatic bold reforms, initiatives and interventions in the mainstreaming and formalization of alternate and Almajiri education systems in Nigeria to ensure that every child have access to quality and functional education to achieve his/her full potentials.
One of the major essence of this speech and indeed this occasion is also to advocate, sensitize and enlighten stakeholders and the general public on the milestones achieved over the years in mainstreaming Almajiri and Tsangaya education into formal system on education in Nigeria and galvanize support and commitment for sustained action in the full domestication and implementation of these reforms by states and local governments particularly in Northern Nigeria’.
Indeed Hon Balarabe Shehu Kakale, the creative, purposeful prolific and erudite Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya has relentlessly burnt the proverbial midnight oil in the selfless, patriotic and unwavering service to his beloved fatherland, thus more honours, recognitions and accolodes await him in the near and distant future
