In northeast Nigeria, homeless boys are at risk of radicalisation and homeless girls are at risk of increased birth rate and associated infant mortality. This program provides a meal a day in addition to literacy and numeracy classes to Almajiris and vulnerable out of school girls.
In a remarkable gathering on the 27th of October in the year 2023, the Atiku Institute for Development (AID), under the dedicated leadership of Dr. Audu Liman, celebrated the graduation of a group of 24 young pupils who had successfully completed the accelerated program of the Feed and Read Program, a project initiated by the American University of Nigeria (AUN).
The purpose of this accelerated program was to provide these children with a fundamental education equivalent to grade 3, an extraordinary feat considering that they had never previously been exposed to the Western education system. Their journey was guided by the Nigerian Accelerated Basic Education Curriculum, meticulously designed for the non-formal education sector, spanning nine months.
The prestigious graduation ceremony took place within the tranquil confines of the e-Library 24-hour Room, with AUN President, Dr. DeWayne Frazier, taking center stage as the chief host. Alongside him were other distinguished dignitaries, including Prof. Attahir Yusuf, the Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Patrick Fay, the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, all adding a touch of formality to the event.
During his opening address, President Frazier radiated great joy as he gazed upon the young graduates, who had acquired the ability to read and write, thanks to the dedication of the teaching staff. He expressed profound gratitude to HE Atiku Abubakar, the visionary whose dreams and deliberate actions had touched countless lives in the region, including those of the graduates. "You are truly blessed because you are learning how to shape your own future, and we are immensely proud of you," he declared, underscoring the transformative power of education to open doors of opportunity and redefine destinies.
He extended heartfelt appreciation to UNICEF and the Yola South Education Department for their unwavering trust and support, promising to host the graduated pupils at his residence in the near future.
Alhaji Adamu Bawuro, the Yola South Education Secretary, represented by Aishattu Baba, expressed sincere gratitude to AUN for their commendable work in enhancing the lives of out-of-school children. He recognized the far-reaching impact this initiative would have on the state as a whole. His words of appreciation also extended to AUN Rotary Club, HE Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, highlighting their contributions as impactful and beneficial.
Dr. Umar Garba Pella, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, whose presence was represented by Mr. Thomas Amos, conveyed his heartfelt appreciation for AUN's contributions to education, community service, and human capital development. He reassured attendees of the unwavering support from his ministry and emphasized the importance of integrating the graduating pupils into the formal education system.
Dr. Audu Liman, Head of AID, delivered a significant announcement, sharing the generous personal donation of 1 million Naira to the institute by President Frazier. He expressed profound gratitude and urged all present, especially the stakeholders, to acknowledge the President's benevolent gesture during this pivotal moment.
As the event came to a close, certificates were awarded to the students to mark their successful completion of the program. President Frazier personally presented them with a meal package, a tangible token of his encouragement and a fitting conclusion to a formal yet inspiring narrative.