The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving education and empowering young people across the North-East through its Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Programme (ASEP).
The Commission made the commitment during a two-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Adamawa state with the theme, “From Engagement to Impact: Strengthening Academic Support and Skills Enhancement for Teachers and Students in the North-East Region.”
Speaking at the event, the National Programme Coordinator of ASEP, Dr. Batulu Isa Muhammad, said the initiative is fully funded by the NEDC as part of its mandate to strengthen human capital development and improve educational outcomes across the region.
She explained that the programme is designed to provide academic support for teachers and students while equipping young people with practical skills to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
According to Dr. Muhammad, ASEP also targets out-of-school youths and school leavers through structured skills acquisition programmes aimed at reducing unemployment and social vulnerability.
She urged participants to make meaningful contributions during the engagement, noting that their recommendations would guide the effective implementation of the programme in Adamawa state and across the North-East.
In his remarks, the Adamawa state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Garba Umar Pella, described education as the most effective tool for addressing insecurity and accelerating the recovery and development of the North-East.
Dr. Pella said the region could not fully recover from the effects of insurgency without ensuring that every child has access to quality education. He observed that secondary education had received inadequate attention over the years despite its critical role in shaping the future of young people.
He described ASEP as a timely intervention that would help bridge existing gaps in the education sector by strengthening academic support for teachers and students while providing valuable vocational skills for youths.
The commissioner called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, communities and other stakeholders to improve school enrolment, retention and transition rates. He stressed that quality education remains key to tackling poverty, crime and insecurity, adding that an educated population is essential for sustainable development.
Dr. Pella also urged the NEDC to ensure the timely implementation of its projects and programmes to maximise their impact, while reaffirming the commitment of the Adamawa State Government to partnering with the Commission in advancing education and human capital development.
He encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities provided under the programme, particularly digital learning initiatives, describing digital literacy as an indispensable skill in today’s world.
In separate goodwill messages, stakeholders commended the NEDC for its sustained investment in education and youth development across the North-East.
The Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, Mr. Briston Penuel, praised the Commission’s interventions, saying they would help address challenges affecting teaching and learning in Adamawa state.
He advocated greater investment in science, technology and innovation to positively engage young people, while calling for regular training and retraining of teachers.
Mr. Penuel also appealed to the NEDC to provide logistics and mobility support to strengthen school supervision across the state.
Also speaking, the President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Adamawa State Chapter, Mr. Dauda Buba, lauded the Commission for engaging stakeholders to improve education in the region. He also commended governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for prioritising education through various developmental programmes and interventions.
Representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Adamawa state chapter, the State Secretary, Bishop Rufus Hanawa, expressed appreciation to the NEDC for its contributions to educational development and urged students to maximise the opportunities provided through the Commission’s interventions.
The Secretary of the Muslim Council, Imam Ismaila, described education as the foundation of national development. While commending the Adamawa state government and the NEDC for their commitment to improving the sector, he expressed concern over the rising incidence of examination malpractice and called on parents, teachers and community leaders to promote discipline and academic excellence.
Representing the Lamido of Adamawa, the District Head of Yolde Pate, Alhaji Abubakar Aminu, conveyed the appreciation of the Adamawa Emirate Council to the NEDC for its numerous developmental interventions and assured the Commission of the traditional institution’s continued support in promoting education and sustainable development.