Borno State Governor Zulum’s Bold Move: Converting Arabic School to Counter Boko Haram Ideology
In a strategic move to combat the ideology of the notorious militant group, Boko Haram, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the conversion of Mustapha Umar Elkanemi Arabic (Teachers) College in Maiduguri to a specialised institute for teaching of Arabic and Islamic education that will aim to counter the ideology of Boko Haram.
The governor made this known while on an inspection visit to the school.
This initiative is a direct response to the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram, a group notorious for its violent opposition to education and its propagation of a radical interpretation of Islam. The goal of this transformed institute is to produce students who will counter Boko Haram’s ideas through education and peaceful preaching.
To achieve this vision, the institute will collaborate with Al-Azhar University in Cairo, a renowned institution of Islamic learning. The partnership aims to equip students with fluency in Arabic and a strong foundation in Islamic knowledge, enabling them to return to Borno’s 27 local government areas as ambassadors of peace.
Governor Zulum explained, “We hope to ensure that each student, after graduating from this school, can speak Arabic fluently and have a strong background in Islamic knowledge. Admission to this school will encompass all 27 LGAs to empower students to promote peace and prevent a reoccurrence of the experiences of the last decade.”
In a related development, Governor Zulum has directed the newly established Borno State Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board to take over the administration of all Tsangaya and Islamic schools in the state. This multi-pronged approach underscores the state’s commitment to countering the ideology of Boko Haram and promoting education and peace.