Twenty-six-year-old Maryam Umar, who was born without both arms has graduated from the Department of Economics, Gombe State University, after the Academic Staff Union of Universities awarded her a N1.68m scholarship following a PUNCH report on her plight.

Maryam, who writes and performs household chores with her toes, had in 2023 appealed to public-spirited Nigerians, government agencies and non-governmental organisations to assist her to complete her registration for admission into Gombe State University.

She had secured admission to study Economics after completing her secondary education in 2022 and scoring 182 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

However, she said financial constraints threatened to prevent her from taking up the opportunity, as her parents could not afford the N81,322.50 required for her registration and school fees at the time.

The PUNCH had published her story after verifying her admission letter and learning of her struggle to raise the funds needed to commence her university education.

Speaking at the time, Maryam said, “My parents reside at BCGA, Gombe. I completed my secondary school in 2022. I scored 182 in the UTME and I already have four credits, including English and Mathematics, in NECO.

“But I don’t have money for registration to study Economics at the Gombe State University. My parents don’t have money and I’m appealing to public-spirited individuals to support me so that I don’t waste this opportunity,” Maryam had stated.

Following the publication, the then Zonal Coordinator, Bauchi Zone of ASUU, Professor Lawal Abubakar, who was accompanied by chairpersons of the union in the zone while representing the ASUU President, said the national leadership directed the Gombe State University branch to verify Umar’s situation.

According to him, the intervention followed the publication of her story in The PUNCH.

“ASUU National got the information and directed the Chairperson ASUU GSU to investigate and confirm the information,” Abubakar said.

“This was after the news was sighted in The PUNCH; information was instantly verified to be true and the ASUU National promised to make Maryam Umar its daughter and shoulder all the responsibilities of her studies,” Zonal Coordinator, Bauchi Zone of ASUU said.

He explained that the scholarship was designed to cover her academic and welfare needs throughout her university education.

The professor further explained, “ASUU National Scholarship covers her feeding, transport and academic allowance, including her yearly registration fees for the period of her studies. We granted a scholarship to her to the tune of N1,680,000, covering the four years period of her studies.”

Also speaking on the intervention, the former Chairperson of the ASUU GSU branch, Dr Suleiman Jauro, urged persons living with disabilities not to give up on their dreams, describing Maryam as an example of determination and resilience.

“I want to encourage people with disabilities to believe in themselves. Believe in what you can do. Maryam, with her disability, believes that what she wants is education and she is doing everything to pursue her dream, and ASUU is doing everything possible to ensure she achieves everything,” Jauro said.

He also commended The PUNCH for bringing Umar’s situation to public attention, noting that the intervention would not have happened without the publication.

He said the scholarship went beyond payment of school fees to providing some of the assistive items Umar required to pursue her studies.

“It was The PUNCH Newspapers publication that caught the attention of the President of ASUU and ours to begin the processes; without seeing that publication, we wouldn’t have known that there exists such a lady that needs assistance. We appreciate your efforts for good journalism,” Jauro recalled.

According to him, the support package included “some of the items she needs for her studies based on her own disability, things like a voice recorder, specialised table and chair, laptop and for every semester until her graduation, the union will be giving her a stipend of N130,000 per semester to cover her feeding and academic expenses.”

Years after the intervention, Maryam has now successfully completed her Economics degree at Gombe State University.

In a post obtained by Arewa PUNCH on Sunday, marking the successful completion of her degree programme, the elated graduate expressed appreciation to her family, friends, ASUU and others who supported her throughout her university journey.

She said, “I’m grateful to those who made this dream a reality. I thank you all from ASUU, to others numerous to mention for standing by me this past years. May your Allah reward you all with paradise.”

Our correspondent reports that Maryam’s journey from a young woman who was worried that poverty could end her university dream to a university graduate has highlighted the impact of journalism, institutional intervention and determination in opening opportunities for persons living with disabilities.

Source: punchng.com

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The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, has called on the state government to urgently address salary delays, employment uncertainties and welfare concerns affecting teachers across the state.

Dan’iya made the call in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.

He commended teachers in the state for their dedication and sacrifices in educating children despite the challenges confronting the profession.

However, the ADC candidate said the annual celebration should go beyond ceremonies and commendations to address the difficulties faced by teachers.

He expressed particular concern over reports of delays in the payment of September 2026 salaries of primary school teachers, saying teachers should not be left uncertain about their remuneration.

“You cannot build a strong education system while the people entrusted with educating our children are worried about whether their salaries will be paid, whether their appointments will stand, or whether they will receive the training and professional support required to do their jobs effectively,” Dan’iya stated.

He also raised concerns over reports that about 4,000 teachers were deleted from the state payroll after the current administration assumed office.

Dan’iya, however, noted that payroll deletions should not automatically be interpreted as formal dismissal, urging the government to provide clarity on the status of affected personnel.

The ADC candidate further cited the state government’s September 23 announcement of a committee to verify 3,100 newly recruited civil servants and facilitate salary payments to eligible workers.

He said while verification could be necessary for proper payroll management, legitimately employed workers should not be subjected to prolonged uncertainty over their appointments and salaries.

“Verification may be necessary for proper payroll management, but teachers and other legitimately employed workers deserve a clear timetable and prompt resolution rather than prolonged uncertainty over their appointments and remuneration,” he said.

Dan’iya urged the government to ensure that committees and verification exercises translate into tangible improvements in the lives of teachers.

He also called for regular training and professional development, adequate teaching materials, improved working environments and clear career progression for teachers.

According to him, improving education requires more than budgetary allocations and infrastructure projects, as the welfare and capacity of teachers remain central to learning outcomes.

He also called for attention to challenges confronting universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions in the state, saying interventions in education infrastructure must be complemented by competent personnel and sustainable welfare arrangements.

Dan’iya urged the Sokoto State Government to urgently resolve outstanding salary and employment issues, establish a transparent mechanism for addressing payroll complaints and provide clarity on the status of affected workers.

He reaffirmed his commitment to placing the welfare, dignity and professional development of teachers at the centre of efforts to improve education in the state.

Source: punchng.com

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The West African Examinations Council has officially announced the appointment of 56-year-old Suleiman Kum as the Head of the Nigeria National Office.

Before his appointment, Kum was Deputy Registrar in the HNO’s office and served as Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration, WAEC, until the end of August.

The PUNCH reported on Friday that Kum had emerged as the new HNO.

He succeeds Dr Amos Dangut, whose three-year tenure expired on October 1, 2026. Dangut has since assumed office as Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of WAEC.

In a statement on Sunday, the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, described the new HNO as “a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive” who joined the council on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar II.

Kum was particularly noted for pioneering “Variable Data Printing and enhanced code-security features in security printing, replacing council-wide attendance systems with facial-recognition biometric devices and leading the seamless delivery of Achievement Tests using the Computer-Based Examination mode.”

The statement added that he had extensive knowledge of test development, test administration, examination security, and branch and zonal office management.

“Throughout his career, he has driven administrative and technological innovations, including establishing the Gusau office as a Custodial Centre,” it stated.

Kum, who hails from Plateau State, holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Planning at NOUN.

The statement said Kum had served in various key operational capacities, including Assistant Registrar II/Head, Exams Security, Awka; Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Yola; Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Makurdi; Senior Assistant Registrar I/Branch Controller, Gusau; Principal Assistant Registrar/Branch Controller, Kano.

He also served as Deputy Registrar/Head, Security Printing Department; Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Port Harcourt; Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Ikeja; Director of Administration; and Senior Deputy Registrar/Test Administration.

The statement added, “Throughout his eventful career, Mr Kum has shown integrity, diligence, innovation and a strong commitment to service. His leadership across various portfolios has earned him numerous institutional commendations, accolades and awards within the Council and beyond.”

Source: punchng.com

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