There was wild jubilation in part of Kano as members of the Sixth Legislature of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament on Wednesday, 22 May, 2024, paid sensitization visits to two schools in Kano State as part of activities lined up for the Second Extraordinary Session of the regional legislative arm holding in the North West Nigeria town.
The Deputy President of the Senate and the Acting Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, a prominent son of Kano State led the delegation to Aliyu Saidu Bebeji Government Arabic Secondary School and Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN).
Parliamentarians from 12 countries, including Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote D’ Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and the Republic of Togo, are participating in the second extraordinary session of the parliament in the ancient town.
The parliamentarians were met with joyous crowds who were apparently happy that the town was hosting the iconic meeting and that their son touched their lives with impactful projects.
At the secondary school, Senator Barau explained the importance of the ECOWAS in integrating the subregion, stating that they are in the school to bring the Parliament closer to the people and for the students to tap from their wealth of experiences.
He said: “We are here today for the members of the ECOWAS Parliament to know about our educational system and to meet our students, as well as for you, the students, to learn more about the ECOWAS Parliament.
“This school is like my school. I belong to this community. I was the first House of Representatives member of this federal constituency (Tarauni) in 1999.
“Therefore, I am donating uniforms to all the school’s students, one set for each student. I will send tailors to take your measurements for the new uniforms. I will also give a new Sharon vehicle for the school and N1 million to the teachers.”
Similarly, another member of the Parliament, Paschal Agbodike, who represents Ihiala Federal Constituency of Anambra State at the House of Representatives, donated N1 million to the school.
Earlier, the state commissioner of education, Umar Doguwa, thanked the parliamentarians for the visit, describing it as the first in history.
Represented by the Director of Schools of the Ministry, Alhaji Abbas Abdullahi, the commissioner lauded Senator Barau for bringing the ECOWAS delegation to Kano, saying it would benefit the entire state.
On his part, the school’s principal, Yusuf Atiku said: “I am not surprised with what Senator Barau did to us because of his generosity. That is why he is called Maliya.
“We appreciate this kind gesture and support to us. We will never forget what you have done to us. We thank you and the entire ECOWAS Parliament.”
At MAAUN, the lawmakers interacted with the students on the significance of ECOWAS.
