On October 27, 2023, the Atiku Institute for Development (AID), under the leadership of Dr. Audu Liman, graduated another set of 24 pupils from the accelerated program of the Feed and Read Program of the American University of Nigeria(AUN).
The accelerated program aims to provide basic education equivalent to grade 3 to the beneficiaries who have never had any experience with the Western education system. The program uses the Nigerian Accelerated Basic Education Curriculum for the non-formal education sector, which is meant to last for nine months.
The graduation ceremony, which took place in the e-Library 24-hour Room, had AUN President Dr. DeWayne Frazier as the chief host. Other dignitaries include the Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Prof. Attahir Yusuf, and the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Patrick Fay.
In his welcome address, the President expressed great joy to see the children graduating with the ability to read and write because of the numeracy and literacy knowledge impacted on them by the teaching staff. He further expressed gratitude to the Founder, HE Atiku Abubakar, whose dream and deliberate actions have touched many people's lives in the region, including the graduating pupils.
"You are blessed because you're learning how to have a future, and we are proud of you, he stated. He stressed that education is the key that can open doors of opportunity and change destiny.
He thanked UNICEF and the Yola South Education Department for the trust and support they show to AUN as it continues to execute this program. He promised to host the graduated pupils at his residence soon.
Yola South Education Secretary, Alhaji Adamu Bawuro, as represented by Aishattu Baba, thanked AUN for the laudable work it is doing to better the lives of the out-of-school kids, stating that it will go a long way to benefit the state in general. He also appreciated AUN Rotary Club, HE Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, describing their donations as impactful and beneficial.
Adamawa State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, whom Mr. Thomas Amos represented, expressed his appreciation for what AUN is doing in education, community service, and human capital development and reassured the unflinching support of his ministry. He also stressed the need to mainstream the graduating pupils into formal education.
The Head of AID, Dr. Audu Liman, in his speech, announced the magnanimous, personal donation of 1 million Naira donation to the institute by President Frazier and thanked him immensely. He urged everyone, especially stakeholders, to thank the President for the kind gesture at this critical time.
At the end of the event, certificates were issued to the students for completing the program, and the President took the pains to personally serve them the meal package he provided for them as a token of his encouragement.
Reported by John Abah