Daughter of the soil

Ibrahim Shekarau, Prof Gaji Dantata and Brother

Good Will Message on the Occasion of Induction of Professor Gaji Fatima Dantata into the Academy of Education

In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful.

I feel elated to celebrate with my fellow compatriots, especially the people of Kano State of whom the celebrant. Professor Gaji Fatima Dantata, is 'daughter of the soil', for witnessing the tremendous and positive transformation as to pertaining 'gender renaissance' that is steadily taking place in our midst. It is greatly touching to me in view of this achievement of the induction into the Academy of Education of a woman, a mother, and my spouse, when a woman was regarded as having a place only in the kitchen and the other room.

We shall not stop at felicitating with Professor Gaji Fatima Dantata alone, but the entire womanhood who can surmount the presumed feminine weaklings tied on them by the history of trado-cultural conceptions or misrepresentations, to reach the top.

I personally entrench much importance to the idea that women should be educated. It is a common saying that if you educate a woman you educate a nation. It was exactly this tenet we prioritized during my administration as the Governor of Kano Sate.

We made it because the people had known where we were going. Our goal was sine quo non with their norms and aspirations. We recorded overwhelming trust and acceptability when we said student girls should wear hijab. The outcome was the increase in girl child enrolment in our schools. Also our women empowerment policy was a huge success, as it enabled mothers to contribute to the education of their wards.

At another direction, our legacy of protecting the dignity and honour of women in our society saw us introducing a moral safety valve in our transport system. We introduced the tricycle (and branded it A Daidaita Sahu) and made it a conveyance for only women. This brought about confidence in the polity and public’s acceptance of our policies. It is such dividends we would be envisaging to reap always in any proper women integration efforts.

We, therefore, suffice it so well to establish a proven identity with the disposition that women can do what men can do! Here is a lady, my wife, Professor Gaji Fatima Dantata, as an inspiration and aspiration for all.

Therefore, with a single voice that echoes the feelings of the general membership of my family and my political associates, I congratulate our Professor for this no mean feat. We also wish her Allah’s guidance in the tasks ahead.

Thank you and God bless.

Ibrahim Shekarau, CON
Sardaunan Kano

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