A Home schooling program Through Transactional Radio Instruction funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is being implemented by Atiku Centre for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Development of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola has targeted over 500,000 learners in Adamawa and Gombe states.
The program was launched simultaneously in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, and in Gombe, Gombe state on Tuesday.
Performing the ceremony at the AUN community hall in Yola, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state, Northeast Nigeria said the program is a collaborative effort with the Adamawa state government to strengthen the educational system in the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Chief Crowther Seth, the Governor while expressing satisfaction that Adamawa state is benefitting from the program, reiterated that education remains the main focus of the administration.
“Adamawa state Government key into the program to ensure that all children in the state get the best, hope that the program will fully be implemented as we are hopeful to overcome COVID-19″. He said
In her speech, the President American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola Professor Dawn Dekle represented by Professor Abubakar Abba Tahir, Vice President for University Relations said the University will continue to launch a variety of other humanitarian initiatives for the benefit of several challenged families and communities.
She hopes that the beneficiaries of these projects in the pilot states of Gombe and Adamawa would make the best use of this uncommon opportunity, noted that the Transactional Radio Instruction (TRI) program, has become even more compelling, at this time of social distancing, when the Covid-19 pandemic is ravaging the nooks and crannies of the world.
“As a university, we will continue to be proud of the Atiku Centre for initiating and leading these projects, which have fundamentally changed the livelihoods and other conditions of affected communities in many ways”. She added
Dekle lauded the effort of the Atiku Centre for initiating and leading these projects, which have fundamentally changed the livelihoods and other conditions of affected communities in many ways.
“In 2014, AUN pioneered the TELA project (Technology Enhanced Learning for All), which empowered nearly 20,000 underprivileged children, mainly Almajiris and youngsters from IDP families, who were fleeing the epicenter of insurgency in the northeast”. She said
In his goodwill message, Former Vice President of Nigeria and Founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said the program is effectively tailored to significantly improve the learning of children of primary one to three which is the most fundamental stage in education.
“I’m grateful to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for funding the Strengthen of Education in the Northeast States program for Adamawa and Gombe states.
“Our ambitious goal is to strengthen the education system through capacity building and development as well as the provision of teaching and learning materials”. He added
The Former Vice President of Nigeria stated that despite COVID-19, learning must continue, stressing that parents struggle every day to build a better future of the children as African leaders.
“We must device the means of breaking the age-long disparity between Northern and Southern region of Nigeria in terms of education”. Atiku said
Deputy Chief of Party, implementers of the program, Doctor Grace Malgwi gave an overview of the program.