Sambo Wali-Junaidu, the Waziri of Sokoto and a senior counsellor in the Sultanate Council, has urged parents and government agencies to prioritise female education for national development.

Mr Wali-Junaidu made the call on Saturday in Sokoto while turbaning Dr Abdulkadir Saleh-Kazaure as the first Modibbon Wazirin Sokoto.

The Waziri had also inaugurated a committee on Qur’anic recitation competition.

He said Saleh-Kazaure, a Chief Imam of Inuwa Housing Estate Mosque in Dutse, Jigawa, was turbaned to reciprocate his efforts on annual Qur’anic translation exercise and recitation competition.

He reiterated determination to ensure women inclusion for gender equality across the country in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr Wali-Junaidu said Mr Saleh-Kazaure has been inaugurated as the committee chairman for Nana Asma’u Qur’anic Recitation Competition for female secondary school students in Nigeria along with other members based on their commitment.

“It is not that we do not have qualified females, but there is need to bring up these committed men to the level that is globally accepted.

“Most times, the men think that the women are in competition with them but in all honesty, it is not competition. What we are coming to do is to complement each other.

“We support collaboration to thrive and work for development in all sectors in the society,” he said.

Mr Wali-Junaidu, who is among the descendants of Nana Asma’u, the daughter of Sheikh Usmanu Danfodiyo, explained that the committee was established to promote Ms Asma’u’s efforts on propagation of Islamic scholarship.

He enjoined the committee members to sustain the struggle toward advancing female education and inculcating moral training and virtues among the female folk.

”We are trying to build girls’ capacity in order for them to be qualified to actually ensure inclusivity,” he added.

In a lecture, Dr Gidado Waziri dwelled on the contribution of Ms Asma’u on Islamic studies and other social sciences that serve as role models to women and society at large.

The Waziri focused on personal development, leadership skills and nutrition, providing girls with insights from accomplished women in various fields.

He noted that Nana Asma’u’s lifestyle was a bridge to gender gap in education and empowerment of future leaders.

In his speech, Mr Saleh-Kazaure appreciated thr Waziri for the exceptional gesture, noting that the new position would boost his morale towards enhanced performance.

Committee members comprised representatives from Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and some scholars from Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Gombe, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna and other southern part of the country.

(NAN)