By Abubakar Akote Yabagi
The National Examinations Council (NECO), on Thursday, inaugurated a newly constructed palace for the District Head of Gidan Mangoro in Bosso Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger.
The palace was constructed by the National Examinations Council as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at strengthening relationship with its host communities.
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, was equally turbaned as the Maji Dadin Gidan Mangoro during the event.
Speaking at the event, Wushishi said that the construction of the palace reflected NECO’s conviction that corporate social responsibility must go beyond its primary mandate of examinations, certification and educational quality assurance.
According to him, a strong education system only thrives in communities that are stable, peaceful and well coordinated.
The NECO registrar said that the council would continue to contribute to the welfare of its host communities, support traditional values and leadership, and promote development that would benefit both present and future generations.
He described Gidan Mangoro, which hosts the NECO headquarters, as a community that has consistently demonstrated hospitality, understanding and peaceful coexistence.
Wushishi said that the qualities had enabled the council to discharge its statutory responsibilities without hindrance.
The registrar said the newly constructed palace symbolised unity, cultural heritage and the enduring role of traditional institutions in strengthening social cohesion.
He added that the gesture was also a demonstration of NECO’s appreciation for the community’s support and cooperation over the years.
Wushishi said that NECO’s CSR interventions had extended beyond the construction of the palace to other projects and programmes designed to improve the lives of people in its host and neighbouring communities.
These interventions, he said, include the provision of motorised boreholes in Gidan Mangoro and Gbaganako communities, as well as the provision of two transformers each to Wushishi and Gidan Mangoro communities.
Others, the registrar highlighted were NECO/Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Community Skills Development Programme, which had provided skills training to 20 beneficiaries in Gidan Mangoro.
He also said that the commission had sponsorsed school challenge programme and quiz competition among secondary schools in Niger, and facilitation of the conduct of NECO examinations in a secondary school in Gidan Mangoro.
Wushishi said the council had also refurbished the patrol vehicle of the Minna metropolis police as part of its community-focused interventions.
In his remarks, the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk-Bahago represented by the Sarkin Samari, Minna, Alhaji Salihu Garba, appreciated the council for recognising the traditional institutions as part of its corporate social responsibility. (NAN)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni