In these days of looking for a balance between religious and Western upbringing, especially when it comes to the education of the young ones, it is a trying task to find a school in Maiduguri, Borno State, that satisfies parents.
According to Baba Kura, a parent of a pupil of Golden Olives Academy, GOA, Maiduguri, the integration of Western and Islamic education makes the school a fantastic breeding habitat for his child.
Kura, who disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of the school’s primary section, adamantly declared that he wouldn’t change anything about the school.
Another parent who spoke at the event, which held on Sunday, 31st July, 2022, at the Mohammed Indimi Auditorium inside the University of Maiduguri, was Hauwa Kaumi Damboa. She is the mother of 12-year-old JSS One student Mohammed Kaumi Bashir who became an inventor since the age of five.
Damboa said Golden Olives Academy played a pivotal role in her son’s success.
She effusively thanked the proprietress of the school, Dr. Fatima Zanna Gana, for her support to gifted children.
The testimonies at the ceremony of the high quality teaching and mentoring the school offers came as no surprise to Tahir Bukar.
Bukar is a maths and science teacher. He confessed that the fame of the school and its unique selection of teachers attracted him to become a teacher therein.
Fatima Baba Ali, who loves teaching but had been greatly discouraged by the staggering student / teacher ratio in other schools, said she felt at home at GOA because teachers are allocated no more than 15 students in a class.
This brings out the best in her as a teacher, she said.
Echoing the sentiments of other parents, Fatima Mohammed whose five children passed through GOA, lavished praise on the school for instilling good morals and promoting sound religious knowledge, especially the study of the Qur’an.
On the part of the students, Hameeda Bukar Bakki, a graduating pupil, said she’s proud of her school because of its good teaching methodologies and curriculum, as well as for fostering friendship and unity amongst them: pupils.
Lawal Ali Darni – also a graduating student – who loves how younger children are treated, was elated to be advancing to the secondary section of the school because, according to him, “the staff are doing their job well.”
Speaking at the occasion, the proprietress – Dr. Fatima Zanna Gana – expressed profound gratitude to the staff, parents and partners for their continued support for the school.
She especially thanked the state governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for entrusting her school with the education of his children.
Dr. Gana announced scholarships for two gifted children, Mohammed Kaumi, a young inventor, and Musa Sani, a gifted 13-year-old Primary Three artist who had weeks earlier caught the attention of the state governor for his exceptional artistic depiction of a model flyover.
The duo will receive N10,000.00 each every month from GOA until they turn 18 years.
The ceremony, which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, vice-chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Hauwa Biu, chairperson of Education Trust Fund, Borno State, just to mention a few, featured several presentations such as health talks, drama and recitals from the Holy Qur’an.
The climax of the event was the presentation of prizes to deserving students and pupils.
Golden Olives Academy, Maiduguri, is situated in the city’s GRA.
It also has a thriving sister school in Abuja.
