Sacked Education Minister Prof Ruqayyatu returns to Bayero University

Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, in an emotional laden ceremony, has handed over the mantle of leadership of the federal ministry of education to the Minister of State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike after her appointment was terminated on Wednesday by President Goodluck Jonathan.
 
She said: "Every year, endeavour to have a national conference on education and we all will see improvement in our examinations. It will highlight areas of weaknesses and how to improve on the performance. Please endeavour to do so every year."
 
The former Minister, who thanked the president for the opportunity to serve, revealed that there will be an educational innovation and exhibition scheduled to take place in October and November.
 
"It is to showcase what you have in the ministry and liaise with the private sector. With this in place, we can make education relevant to the system."
 
The former minister, who had been a commissioner of education in Jigawa State, revealed that she will return to Bayero University, Kano, as a professor of curriculum studies.

The immediate past Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai, said in Dutse that her tenure helped in improving access to education across the country.

She said at the end of a reception organised in her honour by the Jigawa government that 12 federal universities were established during her tenure.

The former minister also said nine private universities were licensed to commence academic activities during her time as Education Minister.

``I am happy that we were able to expand access to university education in the country.

``At the lower level, the issue of education for Almajiris was equally given attention and 124 of such schools were established,” she said.

The ex-minister appealed to the in-coming Minister of Education to improve on what she had put in place, and expressed hope that the projects would be sustained