Pathway to Hope Community Outreach raises awareness o

Pathway to Hope Community Outreach raises awareness on education, community development in Jakusko

The Pathway to Hope Community Outreach has successfully implemented an intervention event in a Fulani community in Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The pilot intervention aimed at addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges: the growing number of out-of-school children and the need to strengthen community resilience through education, awareness, and social inclusion.

The outreach was organised by the Office of the Senior Liaison Officer to the Executive Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Hon. (Dr) Mai Mala Buni, CON, on Community Outreach, in partnership with Near Foundation.

The initiative brought together academics, medical professionals, security personnel, educators, business leaders, community health workers, traditional leaders, and volunteers to promote school enrollment, community development, health awareness, and the role of education in building peaceful and prosperous communities.

Among the volunteers was Muhammad Rabiu, a beneficiary of the INSPIRE Gashua 2025 Project, who scored 314 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), serving as an inspiration to younger learners.

As part of the outreach, food items and meat were distributed to over 300 community members in the spirit of compassion, solidarity, and community support.

Throughout the outreach, speakers emphasised a common message: education remains one of the most powerful tools for reducing vulnerability, expanding opportunities, promoting responsible citizenship, and fostering long-term peace and development.

Muhammad Umar Danfulani, Team Lead and Convener, explained that the project was designed to encourage parents to maximise the educational opportunities available within their community and ensure that every child has access to quality education.

He stressed that investment in education is an investment in peace, security, and national development.

Representing the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gashua, Prof. Muhammad Saminu Dagari encouraged parents to support their children’s educational aspirations, noting that every child possesses the potential to become a future leader, entrepreneur, professional, researcher, or public servant.

Dr Sodangi, Co-Convener of the initiative, highlighted the importance of health, education, and community participation.

He encouraged parents to fully utilise the educational facilities available within the community, noting that schools and teachers can only achieve their purpose when children attend regularly.

Khadija Abdullah Bizi advocated for girl-child education and women’s empowerment, emphasising the transformative impact of educating girls on families and society.

Community advocate Uncle Rabil encouraged young people to combine formal education with vocational and entrepreneurial skills to enhance self-reliance and economic productivity.

Traditional leaders and community representatives expressed appreciation to the organisers, partners, volunteers, and donors. They also pledged to continue promoting school enrollment and educational participation within the community.

A special prayer session was held for His Excellency Hon. (Dr) Mai Mala Buni, CON, traditional rulers, development partners, volunteers, donors, and all individuals and organisations contributing to education, peace, and community development.

CALL TO ACTION

The increasing challenges facing children and young people across Nigeria underscore the urgent need for collective action to ensure that every child has access to education, guidance, and opportunity.

The Pathway to Hope Community Outreach therefore calls on every Nigerian to support the education of at least one child through mentorship, school enrollment support, learning materials, advocacy, career guidance, or other forms of assistance.

If every educated Nigerian commits to supporting one child, millions of vulnerable children can be guided toward productive futures, communities can become safer, and the nation can build a stronger foundation for sustainable peace and development.

Our collective security, prosperity, and future depend on our collective investment in education.

The Pathway to Hope Community Outreach stands as a scalable pilot model demonstrating that education is not only a pathway to opportunity—it is a pathway to hope, peace, security, community resilience, and national development.