Governor Inuwa Yahaya Presents International Qur’anic Competition Champion Maryam Dan’azumi To Nigeria’s First Lady

…As Oluremi Tinubu Honours 19-year-old Gombe Qur’anic Prodigy with N20m, Praises State’s Girl-child, Almajiri Education Systems

It was a moment of national pride and honour as Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, presented 19-year-old Maryam Ibrahim Dan’azumi, winner of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Saudi Arabia, to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Maryam, a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School for Qur’anic Memorization, Gombe, emerged overall winner recently in the highly prestigious international competition after competing against hundreds of contestants from several countries.

She represented Nigeria in the category for memorization of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation (60 Hizb with Tafsir).

Her victory was particularly historic as it came in the maiden year female contestants were admitted into the 46-year-old competition, making Maryam’s winning a landmark achievement.

Receiving Maryam, her parents, teachers and members of the Gombe delegation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the young Qur’anic scholar as a source of pride to Nigerian women and the girl-child.

“Maryam has brought joy to us. You have made us proud by conquering the world, especially in this area of faith and divine knowledge,” the First Lady said.

She commended Maryam’s parents for their upbringing, her teachers for their mentorship, the Gombe State Musabaqa Committee for its support and Governor Inuwa Yahaya for creating an enabling environment for girls and vulnerable children to thrive.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu particularly applauded the Governor and Gombe State First Lady for what she described as purposeful leadership focused on education, gender inclusion and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.

She also singled out the Gombe Tsangaya Integrated School System and Almajiri education programme as models worthy of replication at the national level.

The First Lady, who recalled her visit to Gombe and her firsthand experience of the state’s inclusive and forward-looking governance, stressed the importance of addressing the challenge of Almajiri and out-of-school children.

She said the Renewed Hope initiative of the Federal Government was also prioritising support for women, the girl-child and vulnerable Nigerians, noting that she was encouraged to see a similar commitment being demonstrated in Gombe State.

Senator Tinubu described Gombe as a state blessed with remarkable women, citing the Gombe State First Lady, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku, as examples of accomplished women Maryam could draw inspiration and mentorship from.

She urged the young champion to remain humble, uphold her values and become a role model to other young Nigerians.

As part of the honour, Senator Oluremi Tinubu presented Maryam with N20 million to support her education, alongside other gifts.

Earlier, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said he purposely brought Maryam to the Presidency to demonstrate the state’s gratitude for her historic accomplishment and, more importantly, to affirm that her achievement belonged not only to Gombe but to the entire nation.

“We wanted to show how grateful we are and to demonstrate that this pride is not for Gombe alone, but for the entire nation. We also want this achievement to inspire others,” the Governor said.

Governor Inuwa, who was accompanied by Maryam’s parents, teachers, school authorities and other prominent Gombe indigenes, said the delegation was at the Presidential Villa to enable the First Lady, as the “mother of the nation,” to honour the young champion and bless her achievement.

He acknowledged Senator Tinubu’s commitment to gender inclusivity and the advancement of the girl-child, stressing that Maryam’s victory was particularly significant because she had competed against hundreds of participants from across the world and emerged overall champion for Nigeria.

“We are grateful that she is our daughter from Gombe, but most importantly, she is a Nigerian who went, saw and conquered on behalf of Nigeria,” he said.