A DAY OF GRATITUDE, REFLECTION AND INSPIRATION AT MADATAI PRIMARY SCHOOL

 A DAY OF GRATITUDE, REFLECTION AND INSPIRATION AT MADATAI PRIMARY SCHOOL

By Tijjani Sarki

Good Governance Advocate and Public Policy Analyst

10th November, 2025

Saturday, 8th November 2025, will forever remain etched in the hearts of the people of Madatai, Kano City, as a day of gratitude, reflection, and renewed hope. It was the day when one of Kano’s illustrious sons, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, returned to his humble beginnings to give back generously to the very foundation that shaped his life, Madatai Primary School, an institution that has stood for over sixty years, nurturing thousands of pupils from the neighbouring quarters of Darma, Chedi, Sheshe, Madatai, Yola, Sharfadi, Sorondinki, Satatima, and others.

As one privileged to be among the invited guests, I witnessed firsthand the overwhelming emotion that swept through the gathering tears of joy, heartfelt prayers, and a renewed sense of communal pride. It was more than a ceremony; it was a revival of faith in humanity, a celebration of gratitude, and a living testimony to the power of education and remembrance.

A Transformative Gift from a Grateful Son:

Once a pupil of this same school, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, now a distinguished Professor at the University of Abuja and currently on secondment to ECOWAS as a Commissioner chose to transform the decaying structures of Madatai Primary School into a model of excellence. For years, the school had been a symbol of neglect, with collapsing classrooms, broken desks, teachers sitting on mats, and blackboards and roofs in shambles.

Driven by compassion and deep conviction, Professor Darma singlehandedly renovated 18 classrooms, furnished them with three-seater benches for an average of 52 pupils per class, and installed ceiling fans in every classroom, staff room, and office. He also provided a 10KVA solar power system, ensuring uninterrupted electricity, supplied refrigerators for all staff rooms, renovated the headteacher’s and assistant headteacher’s offices with modern furniture, and employed a security guard, committing to pay the guard’s annual salary personally.

Under this transformative project, the old blackboards were replaced with modern whiteboards signifying not just a change in teaching tools, but a leap into a more advanced learning environment.

In addition to this, a well-known Non-Governmental Organisation popularly known as Kano Leads DaRUWANA, with the same Professor Nazifi serving as a Board of Members Trustee, in its effort to complement and acknowledge his gesture, pledged to renovate all the toilets in the school premises. Also, Kano Leads promised to adopt the school with a powerful management committee to ensure sustainability and continued progress.

Furthermore, Professor Nazifi made mention of plans for the renovation of additional classrooms, the provision of a computer centre and library, staff training programmes, and other transformative initiatives aimed at uplifting the standard of learning and teaching in Madatai Primary School.

His act of selflessness and devotion moved the audience beyond words. It was a moment of true Sadaqatul Jariya a charity that lives on. People wept openly, overwhelmed by gratitude, whispering “Alhamdulillahi!” for witnessing such a rare act of goodness.

Disappointing Absence, Inspiring Presence:

While the event radiated hope and community spirit, it was unfortunate and indeed discouraging that no senior government official was present. Neither the Honourable Commissioner for Education nor the Executive Chairman of SUBEB attended. The Education Secretary of Kano Municipal Local Education Authority made only a brief ten-minute appearance, delivering a shallow speech claiming to represent the SUBEB Chairman. The Honourable Chairman of Kano Municipal Government, his Vice Chairman, Secretary, and all councillors were conspicuously absent.

Only the Supervisory Councillor on Education arrived late, announcing himself as the representative of both the Education Secretary and the State Government, who had left earlier. Such indifference from public officials toward an event celebrating the rebirth of education was disheartening and deeply demotivating.

Yet, the traditional rulers (Masu Unguwa) of the surrounding communities stood tall in dignity and support. Their presence, including that of the Wakilin Kudu, who stayed from the opening prayer until the closing session, gave the event immense honour and legitimacy. It was a true display of leadership rooted in community and respect for knowledge.

A Powerful Message Worth Etching in Gold:

Perhaps the most unforgettable moment was Professor Darma’s speech a masterclass in humility, wisdom, and inspiration. His words resonated with everyone present and should, indeed, have been written in gold.

He recounted his journey from the dusty classrooms of Madatai to becoming one of only seven senior officials entrusted with making decisions that shape the future of ECOWAS. His story reminded all that education is the cradle of every success, the foundation upon which dreams are built and destinies are shaped.

Professor Darma emphasized the virtue of education as the greatest equalizer a light that transforms poverty into potential and hardship into hope. His message ignited a renewed passion in the hearts of teachers, parents, and community members alike.

A Celebration of Legacy and Gratitude:

The event was further graced by former teachers of the school, including Mallam Munir and others, who once taught Professor Darma himself. They expressed immense joy and gratitude to Almighty Allah for witnessing their student return to uplift the very institution that laid his foundation.

The family of the late Mallam Ado Yola, a revered educator in the early 1960s, was also present. In recognition of his legacy, the school has now been renamed in his honour, and the family generously donated ₦300,000 in support of the school.

Their gesture, combined with Professor Darma’s monumental contribution, turned the day into a festival of giving a testament to the enduring power of gratitude and community.

A Call to Action:

The transformation of Madatai Primary School should not end as a single inspiring story, it must serve as a clarion call to all blessed, rich, and endowed sons and daughters of Kano State. Let this be the beginning of a new tradition of giving back of remembering our humble beginnings and uplifting the institutions and communities that made us who we are.

True greatness lies not in titles or wealth, but in the lives we touch and the legacies we leave behind. Professor Darma’s action has set a golden example. The challenge now lies with others to emulate his vision, his humility, and his deep sense of responsibility to humanity.

In Conclusion:

As we celebrate this remarkable act of benevolence, we pray:

May Almighty Allah bless Kano State with more sons like Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma visionary, selfless, and deeply rooted in gratitude.

May Allah reward him abundantly, guide him in his noble service as ECOWAS Commissioner, and grant him success in all his future endeavours.

Indeed, when success remembers its source, greatness becomes eternal.

Sarki wrote from Kano