By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Concerned Northern Forum,has called on members of the National Assembly to hasten the passage of National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).
The forum also called on the National Assembly to increase budgetary allocations to NBAIS to enable it operate effectively.
Speaking at a Press conference in Kaduna, the spokesperson of the forum, Comrade Abdulsalam Mohammed Kazeem, said, “while acknowledging the enormous efforts made in the passage of the third reading of the Bill so as to present the Bill before the President for assent, we equally call on the National Assembly to increase budgetary allocations to NBAIS to strengthen its mandate.”
The spokesperson observed that “NBAIS is an Examination Board similar to National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) and National Examination Council (NECO) but with a unique and sacred responsibility.”
“The Board is tasked with the planning and implementing Arabic and Islamic studies curriculum and examination in Nigeria. Established in 1960 shortly after independence,it became a department in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with activities mainly in the Northern part of Nigeria.
The spokesperson further explained”Few Universities also took up courses in Arabic and Islamic studies which is commendable.However,concrete efforts in harmonising and giving directions to the study of Arabic and Islam came with the birth of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).
He Stressed that”With the recognition and approval of National Council on Education (NCE), the Board was mandated to serve as a national examination Board for over over 900 recognized Arabic and Islamic schools and colleges all over the country.
“It is important to note that the Board is also mandated to conduct examinations, not only in Arabic and Islamic Studies but also in Arts and Science subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Agricultural,Geography, Languages, religious studies,history and vocational subjects some of which are taught in Arabic.
“This is a very big opportunity for our region and the entire educational system as it offers yet another option for taking the Senior Arabic & Islamic Studies secondary school Certificate Examination (SAISSCE).
“We therefore want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency and national development look into the many challenges of the Board in the area of staffing, mobility and the procurement of furniture and comfortable office accomodations throughout the country. So far, the Board has offices in 26 States of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Bearing in mind the enormous work currently ongoing at NBAIS, it has become necessary for us to call on well meaning Nigerians especially members of the Civil Society,religious and political leaders across the country and Northern Nigeria in particular to come to the aid of this all important Board bearing in mind its enormous importance to our country.
“We passed vote of Confidence on the leadership of National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies,NBAIS,led by Professor Shafi’u Muhammed Abdullahi
