As part of its contribution to promote an all-round education in Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole, the management of Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin, has set in motion the process allowing the centre to secure affiliation with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

This centre, which is owned and financed by the immediate acting national chairman Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje turned out no fewer than 41 students with proficiency in the reading of the Holy Quran and elementary knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence

The graduation ceremony, held at the new site of the centre in Ilorin, also witnessed presentation of site key and that of a brand new 14-seater bus to the school's Board of Trustees, chaired by Justice Sa1iu Olohuntoyin Mohammed of the state Sharia Court of Appeal.

Students of the centre, according to the Board Chairman, enjoy free education and that the graduation attires worn by the graduands were provided free of charge by the proprietor.

Delivering his keynote address at the event, Baraje said the new site has 12 classrooms that can confidently accommodate 30 students each, aside teachers' offices, noting that the school was aimed at complementing the existing one located at Baboko area of Ilorin.

He said the whole project started 17 years back "without an inkling that it would grow to reach the present height", adding that with the development, the centre can now admit students who graduate from elementary level to further their education.

He, therefore, appealed to governments at all levels as well as parents to pay more attention to both Western type and Religious education of the children, for a better tomorrow.

Highlights of the occasion included ceremonial recitation of Surat Fatihah (Q2 : l -7) and the first five verses of Surat Baqarah (Q2 : l - 5) led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Saliu, presentation of two books authored by one of the teachers of the centre and gifts to the proprietor, the Chief Imam and to the outstanding students and graduands.

Culled from The Herald