INTRODUCTION

1.1       ATTENDANCE

The flag-off ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Hon. Minister of State for Education, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Executive Secretaries of UBEC, UBEC Board members, UBEC Directors, Gombe SUBEB Management, Commissioner and Special Advisers of Gombe State Government, Executive Chairmen of SUBEBs from the 20 Northern States, Directors of Social Mobilization SUBEB from the 20 Northern States, UBEC Social Mobilization Officers, UBEC staff, Royal Fathers, Permanent Secretaries of Kano State Government, SBMC Chairmen from the 9 beneficiary schools, 11 Local Government Education Secretaries, Media and school children, (Find attached a copy of the attendance at the programme).

1.2       OPENING PRAYERS

The flag-off programme started with opening prayers by SUBEB Chairman of Gombe State, Hon. Babeji Babadidi and the Hon. Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Gombe State, Alh. Abubakar Aminu Musa.

2.0       WELCOME REMARKS

The Acting Director Social Mobilization, Dr. Ossom M. Ossom welcomed all participants to the Northern phase National Flag-off of the implementation of the 2019 SBMC-SIP.

He said that the event was to renew the stakeholders’ engagement drive by UBEC and show her commitment in providing a conducive atmosphere for engaging positively with local actors towards improving UBE delivery services at the grassroots. He added that the flag-off ceremony will avail everyone the opportunity to commit themselves collectively to ensure that the partnership can produce effective learning space, UBE delivery processes as well as outcomes that are truly world class and capable of giving us an enlightened society.

3.0       DRAMA PRESENTATION BY PUPILS

The drama was presented by Primary School pupils’ who showcased the difference between a school with functional SBMC and a school without a functional SBMC. The play also highlighted the benefits of having a functional SBMC.

4.0       ADDRESS BY DR. HAMID BOBBOYI THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, UBEC

Dr. Hamid Bobboyi welcomed all dignitaries and participants to the flag-off ceremony and the disbursement of UBEC support contributions to selected beneficiary schools across the country. He also appreciated the Governor of Gombe State for accepting to host the occasion and for his generosity. The following was noted in his address that:

• the 2019 national flag-off signals the commencement of yet another cycle of deliberate community engagement geared towards establishing a result-oriented mechanism for quality basic education delivery in Nigeria, through the School Based Management Committees;
• the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), has acknowledged the crucial roles played by the SBMCs in the delivery of basic education in Nigeria and has provided an enabling environment for these local actors to take responsibility as well as ownership of education delivery services in their domains;
• arising from the successes recorded through the 2017/2018 interventions, UBEC made deliberate attempts at continuing the SBMC-SIP with the 2019 funding arrangement. The 2019 SBMC-SIP implementation activities started with:
  • training of Master Trainers comprising of SUBEB Directors of Social Mobilization and SBMC Desk Officers on the SBMC-SIP project implementation;
  • sensitization of stakeholders;
  • verification of information supplied by prospective beneficiary schools that applied for the 2019 funds; and
  • the cluster based training of SBMC-SIP Project Implementation Sub-Committees and LGEA SBMC Desk officers. After the selection of beneficiary schools for the 2019 fund, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed and award letters issued to them, in demonstration of UBEC’s readiness to fund and ensure smooth project implementation.
• 1,147 communities will receive a total sum of N888,000,000 being 75% of the funds earmarked for the 2019 SBMC-SIP implementation. He added that stakeholders in the aforementioned 1,147 school/communities have committed themselves to providing not less than 10% of the UBEC contribution as counterpart funding for the smooth implementation of all designated 2019 projects;
• through the SBMC-SIP, there would be increased supply of learning space and other UBE delivery infrastructure, improved monitoring of classroom delivery as well as creation of a stable and more secured school environment, the SBMCs have demonstrated very significantly that they have the capacity to partner effectively with the government towards bridging notable gaps in education service delivery. This goes a long way in buttressing the fact the performance of the UBE programme depends largely on the collective efforts of all stakeholders;
• Apart from the SBMC-SIP, the Commission has also instituted other programmes such as the Open Schooling Programme and Effective School Programme which target providing further opportunities for access to UBE as well as ensuring improved learning outcomes in our schools. These new interventions in addition to existing programmes like the Teacher Professional Development; Special Needs Education; Almajiri/Tsangaya/Boy-Child Education Programmes; Enrolment Drive and Advocacy campaigns, etc., are all proof that quality UBE delivery can only happen through the building of partnerships with stakeholders such as International Development Partners, the Organized Private Sector, Traditional, religious and opinion leaders, Federal, State and Local Government, NGOs among others; and
• basic education is an effective development tool for building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation on the premise that a literate, informed and skilled citizenry will support and actively participate in building the Nation, can only materialize when we engage and provide opportunity for grassroots stakeholders to play the expected roles in social service delivery.

Dr. Hamid Bobboyi finally ended his address by emphasizing that it is important to note the UBE Programme mantra that “Education For All is the Responsibility of All” and to call upon all stakeholders, to rally round in safeguarding the future and integrity of the nation by supporting such noble initiatives as the SBMC-SIP.

5.0       REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN UBEC GOVERNING BOARD

The Chairman, UBEC Governing Board, Prof. Adamu Kyuka Usman was ably represented by Dr. Danjuma Dabo a member of the UBEC Governing Board who gave the remarks. In his remark, he acknowledged that the SBMC-SIP is one of the best programme in UBEC. He commended the effort made by SBMC members during 2017/2018 project implementation. He appealed to the Traditional Rulers to support the SBMCs during the project implementation.

He concluded by saying that all stakeholders should participate fully in the programme as well as promote basic education in their various communities.

6.0       GOODWILL MESSAGE

Chairman Nigeria Union of Teachers, Gombe State

The representative of the NUT assured UBEC of the Union’s commitment in supporting SBMC-SIP. He also acknowledged the effort Gombe State government has put into Basic Education. He appealed that maximum support should be made by all stakeholders for a successful SBMC-SIP programme implementation.

7.0       DANCE PRESENTATION

The participants were entertained by three dance troupes who displayed beautiful cultural dances from the Igbo tribe, Lantutangal Group from Tangale Tribe and Tera Cultural Group from Gombe State.

8.0       VIDEO PRESENTATION/BRIEF DOCUMENTARY ON 2017/2018 SBMC-SIP IMPLEMENTATION

The Video presentation gave a brief summary of the implementation process of SBMC-SIP, the objectives of SBMC-SIP, the components of SBMC-SIP, the timeframe for project execution and images of completed projects of the 2017/2018 SBMC-SIP. It also, showcased interviews granted with the Executive Secretary of UBEC Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Former Director Social Mobilization, Bello Kagara and few members of beneficiary schools from the 2017/2018 SBMC-SIP project.

9.0       KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF STATE EDUCATION, HON. CHUKWUEMEKA NWAJIUBA

The Honourable Minister of State Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba welcomed all participants and appreciated Gombe State for hosting the event.

He explained that SBMC-SIP is a great programme for improving basic education in Nigeria. He added that the problem of Out-of-School-Children in now been handed to schools managers (SBMCs) who will ensure that children are back to school.

He concluded his speech by encouraging all stakeholders in the community to participate fully to make the SBMC-SIP programme a success.

10.0    ADDRESS BY MOHAMMED INUWA YAHAYA, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, GOMBE STATE

The Executive Governor of Gombe State was ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Mana Daniel. He started his speech by appreciating God for making the programme a success. He also appreciated the effort of the Nigerian government through the Hon. Minister of State Education in supporting basic education in Gombe State.

He emphasized that if the necessary attention was given to basic education in Nigeria, we would all have a sane and decent society. He further added that the recent administration of the Gombe State government was fully engaged in basic education service delivery. Gombe State has contributed in basic education through the building of new school structures, procurement of learning materials and improvement of Tsangaya schools. The Gombe State government was open to new ideas that would improve basic education in the State. He added that all stakeholders in basic education should come together and contribute their quota in making the programme a success.

He concluded by appreciating all participants and wished them journey mercies to their various destinations.

11.0    PRESENTATION OF DUMMY CHEQUES AND SBMC-SIP IMPLEMENTATION MANUAL TO SBMC BENEFICIARIES

The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Hon. Minister of State Education, Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Education, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Gombe SUBEB Chairman and other dignitaries presented cheques indicating the 3 components of SBMC-SIP, which are Special Case (N7, 000,000.00), Macro (N2, 000, 000.00) and Micro (N350, 000.00). These cheques were presented to 9 beneficiaries schools from different Local Government Areas in Gombe State. The presentation of cheques was a symbolic representation of the 1,147 schools that would benefit from the SBMC-SIP support fund in the 36 States and FCT.

12.0      REMARKS BY ONE OF THE BENEFICIARIES

On behalf of the beneficiaries, a representative from one of the schools appreciated the Commission for the laudable effort in encouraging community participation and schooling in Nigeria.

13.0      VOTE OF THANKS

The Executive Chairman of Gombe SUBEB, Hon. Babaji Babadidi, appreciated the Almighty for making the 2019 SBMC-SIP Flag-off programme a success. He informed participants that Gombe State was an education friendly State. He also thanked all stakeholders for making the event a successful one. He expressed his gratitude to the Hon. Minister for State Education for his support and the Executive Secretary of UBEC for his outstanding performance in his effort to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria through the SBMC-SIP programme.

Finally, he appreciated the 31 philanthropists in Gombe State that were honoured for their immense contribution to education in Gombe State.

NEXT STEPS

1. Disbursement of funds to schools