The Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar-Faruk, says Katsina is not educationally backward.

The emir stated this when he received members of the Girl Education Project (GEP-3) on a follow-up visit to his palace on Wednesday in Daura.

The committee was set up to follow up efforts of traditional rulers in the state in promoting the GEP-3 project initiated by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and how to sustain it.

“It is not true that Katsina state is lagging behind in terms of education in the northern part of the country, especially the girl-child education. We are ahead of many states,” Mr Umar-Faruk said. “Contrary to what has been said, especially in the area of girl-child, we are giving more attention, and we will continue to do so.”

He added, “There was a time we went to a meeting in Kaduna and Kano, for the northern traditional rulers and Katsina was mentioned among the states that were backward in education, especially that of the girl-child. It is not true. I believe it was said to scare us. But we thank God, it has given us more confidence and courage to strengthen our effort in that direction.”

The Daura emir insisted that there “is no way Katsina can be backward in terms of education when the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello and the late Premier of Northern Nigeria schooled in Katsina.”

The emir further stated that Katsina was committed to education, especially the education of female children.

“We are always committed and ready for the development of the education sector in the state, and we will continue to give all the necessary support to the state government and other agencies,” Mr Umar-Faruk further insisted. “It is our responsibility to ensure the promotion of girl-child education, and God willing, we will continue to render our service towards achieving that our female children go to school.”

(NAN)