The Bauchi State Government has dismissed what it described as a deliberate misrepresentation of a recent statement made by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed regarding education.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Usman Shehu Usman, on Wednesday, the government accused certain media outlets of intentionally distorting the governor’s remarks during a recent engagement with a group of youths.
Governor Mohammed, while addressing the youths, encouraged them to acquire skills, identify societal challenges, and proffer solutions, emphasising that such actions would help tackle poverty, unemployment, and restiveness.
However, the commissioner said the governor’s message was misreported to suggest that he had discredited Western education, instead encouraging youths to take up driving as a profession.
“This is a calculated attempt to pitch Governor Bala Mohammed against the good people of Bauchi State and portray him negatively,” Hon. Usman said. “For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency has never undermined Western education. He hails from a family that not only embraced Western education but also actively promoted it. His father was a renowned headmaster in his time.”
He further noted that the governor’s commitment to education is evident in the administration’s policies and investments, describing education as a cornerstone of the governor’s development agenda.
“Since assuming office, Governor Mohammed has prioritised education, consistently allocating the highest share of the state budget to the sector, well above the UNESCO benchmark,” the commissioner added.
He explained that the governor’s message to the youths was simply to encourage them to complement their formal education with vocational and technical skills, thereby better positioning themselves in the modern economy.
Hon. Usman also recalled that on his inauguration day in 2019, Governor Mohammed declared a state of emergency in three critical sectors, including education, as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment.
“Over 5,000 classroom blocks have been constructed, reconstructed, or rehabilitated under his leadership,” he said. “The government has also consistently funded WAEC, NECO, and JAMB registration fees for students.” The commissioner further revealed that the administration had raised scholarship disbursements to approximately N945 million, reflecting its sustained support for educational advancement in the
