The Kilema Youth Development Association has donated a new Islamiyya Community School to the Kilema community in Lafia, as part of efforts to promote learning, moral upbringing and community development.
The school was commissioned alongside the association’s new office at a ceremony in Lafia, attended by community leaders, government officials and political stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Association, Usman Abubakar Zanwa, said the school was established to contribute meaningfully to the social, educational, economic and human development of the community, while promoting unity, peace and responsible leadership among youths.
He said the school would provide an enabling environment where children can acquire Islamic knowledge, develop good character and imbibe the values of discipline, honesty, respect, compassion and service to humanity.
“As an association, we believe that the development of any society cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires the collective efforts of government, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, community associations, religious bodies, the private sector and, most importantly, responsible citizens,” Zanwa said.
He added that the newly inaugurated office would serve as a permanent coordination centre for the association’s programmes and activities, providing a suitable environment to plan, organise and implement projects aimed at improving the welfare of youths and the wider community.
Zanwa appealed to Gov. Abdullahi Sule, relevant government agencies, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to support the school with teaching materials, qualified teachers, infrastructure and other necessary facilities.
He also called on youths to shun violence during and after the 2027 general elections, and not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of destruction.
Commending the initiative, the Commissioner for Electoral Operations of the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, NASEIC, Alhaji Muhammad Ilele Gayam, who chaired the occasion and was represented by Hassan Waziri, said the youths had demonstrated commitment to community development through various initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of residents.
“As stakeholders in Lafia, we must support the association because you have impacted the lives of vulnerable individuals at all times,” he said.
He charged the youths to remain loyal and support the policies and programmes of Gov. Abdullahi Sule, and urged the Kilema community to support the governor’s preferred candidate, Sen.
Ahmed Wadada, and President Bola Tinubu’s re-election as a way of reciprocating Gov. Sule’s developmental projects in the area.
“We observed the activities of the association in the last two years; you have done well. We appeal to you to support Wadada in the 2027 general elections,” he added.
Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment and the APC candidate for Lafia Central, Abubakar Imam Zanwa, and the Special Assistant to Gov. Sule on Media in the Office of the First Lady, Ishaq Lamino, urged the community to sustain support for the administration of Gov. Sule.
“Gov. Abdullahi Sule has worked for the community by constructing roads, the Kilema-Amba bridge, water channels, boreholes, classrooms and toilet facilities, and by appointing sons and daughters of the community into his administration; it’s time to reciprocate the gesture by voting for his preferred candidate, Sen. Ahmed Wadada,” they said.
They urged the community to remain peaceful and uphold the ideals of the present administration, assuring the association that the state government will continue to support the Kilema Islamiyya Community School as a catalyst for societal development.
Similarly, the Special Assistant to Gov. Sule on Politics, Alhaji Abdullahi Masallaci, challenged youths in the state to emulate Kilema youths by engaging in selfless services such as empowering vulnerable persons, including orphans and widows.
“I am proud of Kilema youths in Lafia. You have changed the narrative of this community, which some people never thought would happen,” he said.
The Zenith Labour Party candidate for Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency, El-Yakub Muhammad, while commending the association, pledged to support its activities because it was determined to impact the lives of vulnerable members of the community.
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