Graduates Celebrate Completion of Adult Literacy Programme

Education Improves Lives of Rural Women in Nigeria

Saturday, March18, 2006 will remain as one of the most memorable days in the lives of the residents of Mpape Community, Nigeria and indeed their counterparts from Galadimawa village. It was on this day that the first graduates of the Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman (BLPARW) Adult Education, after completing a nine month basic literacy education course, received their Certificates and Testimonials.  

    With great fanfare, the Chief of Mpape Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Gimba and his council members welcomed the Founder and Chief Executive of the Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Babangida, to the graduation ceremony held on the LEA Primary School grounds. (Dr. Babangida is center in the photo.)

    Also in attendance was Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Agwuche, Minister of State for Education; Mr. Nasir E’Rufai, Minister of the FCT, was represented by the Secretary Social Development of the Ministry, Hajiya Amina Zakari; the Minister of Water Resources was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary Engr. Ebele Okeke. Other dignitaries included Dr. Chidi Okafor, U.S.A., Alhaji Habu Fari, Chairman NDP, several Ambassadors, members of the board of Trustees and Governing Council of the BLPARW NGO leaders, Parastatal government representatives, zonal and state coordinators of the BLPARW, and, of course, many residents of the host community Mpape.  

    A total of 116 students, 97 from Mpape and 19 from Galadimawa, a suburb in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) but also beneficiaries of the BLPARW Adult and Vocational Training Programme, graduated. In addition to their certificates and testimonials, they took home personal gifts from the Founder/Chief Executive, while those who performed outstandingly were given awards.  

    The Chief of Mpape, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Gimba, could not hide his joy and excitement as he showed prayers of blessings on the initiator of BLPARW whom the entire community regard as a caring mother.

    In her own remarks, Dr. (Mrs.) Babangida congratulated the graudates and urged them to apply the knowledge acquired both at home and in their private businesses. She stated that BLPARW will continue to support them as they move to the next stage of the programme which is skill acquisition.  She thanked all those who contributed to the success of the programme and urged everyone to assist in initiating similar programmes in their various communities.  

    Speaking on behalf of her fellow graduates, Mrs. Comfort Godfrey, stated that BLPARW has changed their lives for good. As adult mothers who have had no understanding or experience of formal education, the organization has enhanced their economic, social and even political life because, with the knowledge they have acquired, they have become better mothers, housewives and traders. 

    All experienced great joy. One graduate, Mrs. Hadiza Nuhu, said “Today is the day of glory for us in Mpape.”

Contributed by Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman.