Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has donated N180m to support Islamic education, research and academic development as Az-Zumratul Adabiyyah School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin, marked its centenary.
The donation, announced at the institution’s 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday, comprised contributions to Ansarul Islam Society, the founding body of Muhammed Kamaldeen University, Ilorin, support for the university and scholarship grants for 30 students.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, AbdulRazaq Jiddah, said the donations were intended to support the institution and advance educational development.
Providing a breakdown of the donation in a Facebook post, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, said AbdulRazaq donated N50m to Ansarul Islam Society in his capacity as the Sardauna of Ilorin.
According to Abdullateef, the governor made another N50m donation on behalf of the AbdulRazaq family.
The governor also announced a N50m contribution by the Kwara State Government to Muhammed Kamaldeen University, Ilorin, to support research and educational advancement.
Abdullateef said, “In a similar vein, he noted that the Kwara State Government would also donate the sum of N50m to Muhammed Kamaldeen University (MKU), Ilorin, as a form of support to strengthen research and educational advancement in the institution.
“On top of it, AbdulRazaq directed the university to compile names of 30 deserving students for scholarship, with each getting N1m grant each to inspire and support their academic journey.”
The scholarship grants amount to N30m, bringing the total announced donations to N180m.
In his congratulatory message to the Adabiyyah family worldwide, AbdulRazaq described the centenary as a significant milestone in the institution’s history.
The governor congratulated the founders, successive administrators, teachers, students, alumni, supporters and other members of the community associated with the institution.
“One hundred years is a remarkable milestone in the life of any institution. For Az-Zumratul Adabiyyah, it has been a century of commitment, sacrifice, scholarship, discipline, and service to humanity. On behalf of the government and people of Kwara State, I congratulate the founders, successive administrators, teachers, students, alumni, supporters, and the entire community associated with this historic institution. I commend all those whose dedication has sustained its mission through changing times and generations,” AbdulRazaq said.
The governor urged the institution’s management and alumni network to use the centenary celebration to develop a clear plan for its next phase of growth. “I encourage the management of Az-Zumratul Adabiyyah and its alumni network to use this important occasion to develop a clear plan for the institution’s next phase of growth,” he said.
AbdulRazaq also identified areas he considered important to the institution’s future development, including curriculum improvement, teacher training and digital learning. “While they continue to prioritise curriculum development, teacher training, digital learning, improved libraries, research, and partnerships with other reputable educational institutions,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, the governor said the state government would continue to work with relevant stakeholders within the limits of its policies and available resources. “Our administration remains committed to working with relevant stakeholders and institutions within the framework of our educational policies and available resources to advance learning, research, and scholarship in the state,” he said.
Abdullateef stated that the announcement of the donations was greeted with applause and cheers from traditional rulers, clerics, dignitaries and students who attended the centenary celebration