Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says education is not complete without morals and uprightness as children must be taught the highest standards of honesty, piety, and hard work.
Mr Osinbajo made this assertion at the inauguration of the management board of Adawiyya Girls Academy, Minannata community in Sokoto State.
Laolu Akande, the vice president’s spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that Mr Osinbajo performed the inauguration virtually.
The Adawiyya Girls Academy, established in collaboration with Text Foundation, is a digital and foundational literacy nonprofit organisation.
It is a state-of-the-art school designed to provide high-quality education to young girls from less privileged backgrounds with modern education using advanced teaching tools.
A section of the school, which combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in its teaching curriculum, is dedicated to training women in entrepreneurship.
The vice president acknowledged the brainchild of the academy, Rabiatu Adawiyya, from whose name the school is endowed.
“Despite the fact that she did not undergo formal education, she understands a reality that even the best minds are only just realising that when you educate a girl, you educate a whole society.
“Ignorance has no benefit, ignorance is darkness but education is the bright light of knowledge that can help us to live healthier, happier and more prosperous lives.
“Education is dangerous without morals and uprightness; we must teach our children the highest standards of honesty, piety, and hard work.
“I am glad that the students of Adawiyya Girls Academy Sokoto have this great opportunity of being offered both conventional and religious education using the most advanced modern teaching tools available in our time.”
Mr Osinbajo said that Adawiyya was passionate about the education of girls from less-privileged families.
“Her dream is today a reality and has started a movement that will bring about the education of millions of girls from poor families across Nigeria,” he said.
He also commended the leadership of the Minannata community, especially the traditional chiefs led by Aminu Riskuwa, for his selfless service to the people.
The Vice Chancellor, Uthman Dan Fodio University (UDUS), Professor Lawal Bilbis, Adawiyya Board Chairman, was represented by UDUS Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Muhammed Mahuta.
The Secretary of the Board, Enajiyerin Enajite, thanked the vice president for his dedication and expressed delight in the ‘historic’ inauguration.
In her remarks, Dr Balkisu Saidu, who is also the daughter of the endower (Adawiyya), thanked the vice president for his selfless service to humanity.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers and the community, Mr Riskuwa thanked the vice president for his support, saying they would continue with their efforts towards ensuring the development of the school.
(NAN)
