By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has finalized arrangements to send 70 students to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for conventional and religious degree programmes. This initiative is part of the 'Kaura Capacity Building Project 2025', a scheme under the Office of the Special Adviser on Religious Affairs to the Governor.
According to Engr. Imran bn Usman, Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, 20 Local Government Areas in the state will provide three students each, while Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, will provide 10 students. "Kebbi State Government will shoulder the cost of their travel to Saudi Arabia, but on arrival, the Saudi Government would take responsibility for their studies and welfare," Usman explained during a news briefing on Monday.
The Saudi authorities have set conditions for admission, including an age limit of 18 years and academic examination to conform to the requisite standard. "Saudi Professional Examiners are already in Kebbi for the exercise prelude to departure of the students," Usman stated. Each local government area is expected to forward the names of two males and one female who will study first-degree programmes in either conventional faculties or Religious Knowledge.
Beyond this initiative, the Kebbi State Government plans to send Imams of Jumu'a Mosques outside the country for short-term courses to enhance their skills in sermon delivery and Hadith. This aims to equip them to make a more significant impact on worshippers during congregational prayers. "Governor Nasir Idris is highly committed to good governance through piety and promotion of religious values in the society," Usman emphasized.
The Special Adviser also highlighted his recent visits to Middle Eastern embassies in Abuja, including those of the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to explore areas of cooperation on human development. These diplomatic efforts have yielded tangible benefits, including a scheduled medical outreach by specialists from Riyadh. "Consequently, some Specialists from Riyadh are scheduled to visit Kebbi state for medical outreach during which 5000 people with eye defects would receive free treatment and eye glasses, optics," Usman disclosed.
"Furthermore, the Saudi Embassy has donated 10,000 Copies of the Glorious Qur'an to Kebbi as gesture of appreciation to my visit," Usman added.
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Religious