The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has commended Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, for winning the women’s category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makah, Saudi Arabia.
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has presented 19-year-old Maryam Ibrahim Dan’azumi, winner of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Saudi Arabia, to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Maryam, a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School for Qur’anic Memorization in Gombe State, emerged overall champion of the prestigious international competition after competing against hundreds of contestants from different countries.
She represented Nigeria in the category for memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation, covering 60 Hizb with Tafsir.
Her victory marked a significant milestone in the history of the competition, as the 46th edition was the first time female contestants were admitted to participate.
Receiving Maryam, her parents, teachers and members of the Gombe delegation, Senator Tinubu described the young Qur’anic scholar as a source of pride to Nigerian women and the girl-child.
“Maryam has brought joy to us. You have made us proud by conquering the world, especially in this area of faith and divine knowledge,” the First Lady said.
She commended Maryam’s parents for their upbringing and her teachers for their mentorship, while also acknowledging the contributions of the Gombe State Musabaqa Committee and Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
According to her, the young champion’s achievement demonstrated the potential of Nigerian girls when provided with opportunities, guidance and a supportive educational environment.
The First Lady also praised Gombe State’s initiatives targeting girls, Almajiri children and other vulnerable groups, particularly the Tsangaya Integrated School System and Almajiri education programme.
She described the programmes as models that could be replicated in other parts of the country, stressing the need for greater attention to Almajiri and out-of-school children.
Senator Tinubu said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative was similarly focused on supporting women, the girl-child and vulnerable Nigerians.
She recalled her visit to Gombe State and said she was encouraged by what she described as the state’s commitment to inclusive education and gender empowerment.
The First Lady further described Gombe as a state with accomplished women, citing Gombe State First Lady, Dr. Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya; Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed; and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku, as examples of women from whom Maryam could draw inspiration and mentorship.
She urged Maryam to remain humble, uphold her values and serve as a role model to other young Nigerians.
As part of the reception, Senator Tinubu presented Maryam with N20 million to support her education, alongside other gifts.
Earlier, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said he brought Maryam to the Presidential Villa to formally present her achievement to the First Lady and demonstrate that her success was a source of pride not only to Gombe State but to Nigeria as a whole.
“We wanted to show how grateful we are and to demonstrate that this pride is not for Gombe alone, but for the entire nation. We also want this achievement to inspire others,” the governor said.
Governor Inuwa said the delegation also wanted the First Lady, whom he described as the “mother of the nation,” to honour the young champion and bless her achievement.
He acknowledged Senator Tinubu’s commitment to gender inclusion and the advancement of the girl-child, noting that Maryam had competed internationally and emerged as overall champion.
“We are grateful that she is our daughter from Gombe, but most importantly, she is a Nigerian who went, saw and conquered on behalf of Nigeria,” he said.
The governor also revealed that Maryam’s elder sister, Hajara, had previously represented Nigeria at an international Qur’anic competition in Jordan and emerged overall winner.
He described the achievements of the two sisters as a blessing to Gombe State and Nigeria.
Governor Inuwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for identifying with Maryam’s achievement through a presidential statement, describing the gesture as recognition of excellence among young Nigerians.
He recalled that his administration had promised to honour Maryam following her return from Saudi Arabia, adding that her presentation to the First Lady represented an important part of that recognition.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering women and creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr. Mohammed Sani Idris, commended Gombe State for its interventions in education, particularly those targeting Almajiri and out-of-school children.
He urged other state governors to adopt similar approaches, saying broader implementation across the country could help address the challenge of children outside the formal education system.
Dr. Idris said Maryam’s achievement also challenged the perception that Qur’anic education was incompatible with Western education.
He noted that her success demonstrated that young Nigerians could combine Qur’anic knowledge with formal education and use both forms of learning to achieve excellence.
He also commended the First Lady for honouring the Qur’anic competition champion, describing the gesture as recognition of the significance of the Qur’an and the achievement of a young Nigerian.
The Director of Administration of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School, Herwagana Quarters, Gombe, Prof. Tahir Inuwa, said Maryam’s success was the result of sustained excellence.
He explained that she had emerged victorious at the local government and state levels before winning at the national level and subsequently representing Nigeria at the international competition in Saudi Arabia.
Prof. Tahir commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for supporting the school, the Musabaqa Committee and education initiatives across the state.
He said the development had contributed to Gombe’s growing recognition in the promotion of inclusive education.
The Gombe delegation to the Presidential Villa included the Gombe State First Lady, Dr. Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya; Maryam’s father, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan’azumi; wife of the Gombe State APC governorship candidate, Dr. Zainab Isiyaku Gwamna; former House of Representatives member, Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku; Presidential Adviser, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar; and Federal Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed and Dr. Usman Kalba.
Others were the Commissioner for Education, Associate Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Bertha Danja; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Tsangaya Education, Sayyada Amina Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.
Also present were Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Architect Yunusa Yakubu; Proprietor, Quantity Surveyor Anas Adamu; Director of School Administration, Professor Tahir Inuwa; and Chairman of the Gombe State Musabaqa Committee, Sheikh Imam Mohammed Adam Ardo.
