By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Jigawa State and Deputy Director General (North) of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), Hon. (Engr.) Magaji Da’u Aliyu, has been honoured with two separate awards in recognition of his sustained contributions to grassroots development, education and community service.
The honours were conferred by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Centre for Qur’anic Promotion and Reciters during ceremonies held in his hometown of Birnin Kudu, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu, a former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power and former lawmaker for Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency, received the NUT award for his consistent support for education and teachers’ welfare across the constituency.
Speaking with journalists after receiving the awards, the APC chieftain expressed deep appreciation to the union, describing the recognition as both humbling and motivating.
“I am sincerely grateful for this honour. Whatever we have done is simply our modest contribution to development and the upliftment of our people, which we consider a collective responsibility,” he said.
He also commended Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, for prioritising education through increased funding, timely release of resources and strategic investments in manpower and infrastructure at both the basic and tertiary levels.
According to him, sustained government commitment to education remains critical to social progress and economic development in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in Birnin Kudu, Alhaji Musa Muhammad, explained that the award ceremony was organised to recognise individuals and organisations that have made meaningful financial and material contributions to the growth of education in the area.
Muhammad disclosed that the local NUT branch has facilitated access to degree programmes through the National Teachers Institute (NTI) and supported the establishment of the College of Education, Gumel Campus, which offers the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme.
He noted that Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu was selected strictly on merit, citing his unwavering support for teaching and learning, teachers’ welfare and youth development.
This, he said, includes sponsoring students to colleges of education to acquire NCE qualifications.
In his remarks, the District Head of Birnin Kudu, Alhaji Husain Hassan Jibrin, urged the NUT to strengthen monitoring and inspection mechanisms in schools to ensure regular attendance by both teachers and students as part of efforts to improve educational standards.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Muryar Birnin Kudu, Alhaji Ahmad Sa’id Kangire, announced plans to inaugurate a committee that would oversee the transparent distribution of educational donations made during the association’s Annual General Meeting.
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that funds and materials donated to the education sector are applied effectively to address pressing needs within the community.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Qur’anic Promotion and Reciters conferred its own honour on Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu in recognition of his commitment to Islamic education and religious development.
The chairman of the centre, Sheikh Gwani Yusif Hamza Yusif, said the award was informed by the former lawmaker’s extensive support for the construction of Islamiyya schools and mosques across Jigawa State and other parts of the country.
Beyond infrastructure, Sheikh Hamza noted that Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu has consistently provided teaching and learning materials to Islamic schools, describing his contributions as rare and deeply impactful.
“People like Dr. (Engr.) Magaji Da’u Aliyu, in terms of support for Islam and Muslims, are very few,” he said. “Apart from building Islamiyya schools and mosques, he also provides educational materials. May Almighty Allah bless his wealth and protect him.”
The double recognition, observers say, reflects a growing appreciation of community-driven leadership and underscores the role of individual commitment in advancing education and social development at the grassroots.
