Zamfara Receives Troops Of Jolly Phonics Trainers, Others For 10th Anniversary Celebration -By Aliyu Baba Mohammed

The Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB) in conjunction with Universal Learning Solutions (ULSs) has successfully hosted thousands of people in many walks of life for the celebration of 10th year anniversary of Jolly Phonics in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria, and the incredible achievements recorded so far.

The ceremony that attracted the Executive Chairman of ZSUBEB, Directors of State Universal Basic Education Board, Traditional Rulers, Jolly Phonics professionals/Officials across the Northern states and well-meaning Nigerians/lovers of Jolly Phonics, took place on the 29th of December, 2022 at TTCD Hall, ZSUBEB, Zamfara State.

In her virtual welcome address, the Executive Director, Universal Learning Solutions, Naomi Foxcroft said she was delighted that a gathering of men,women and children of such a great caliber would surely be a morale booster for the stakeholders to do more.

“I’m very excited about today because bringing such distinguished guests together as well as pupils and teachers and everybody who worked hard on Jolly Phonics in Zamfara State, is going to really motivate the teachers and the pupils to do more.”

Also, in his welcome address at the venue, the Director of School Services, Alhaji Garba Abdullahi Gusau said the occasion of 10th anniversary of Jolly Phonics in Zamfara State and the entire Northern Nigeria is a memorable event that would live in the book of history, and it is warm-hearted that such a great event is (first) hosted by the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board.

“It’s indeed a great privilege to have this historic event hosted by Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board. It’s an honour for the fact that Zamfara State is the first pilot state of Jolly Phonics in Northern Nigeria after Akwa Ibom in the southern part.”

Part of the activities that marked the 10th anniversary include: Quiz competition, Decodable stories and word reading champion , Presentation of literacy and/or Educational programmes, New Innovation of local technology of One Thousand words from word booklet by Zamfara teacher, Annual Report and Award Presentation.

The quiz has the Jolly Phonics pupils participating in the activity across the four educational zones in the state. These include: Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Talata Mafara and Anka Educational Zones. While the annual performance report of Jolly Phonics in the state was presented by the Jolliest Abbas Mohammed (TES, ULS) and award presentation by the executive chairman of ZSUBEB and other dignitaries that grace the occasion.

While presenting the awards to the deserving awardees, the executive Chairman of ZSUBEB, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu (Danmadamin Maradun) said the award is in recognition and appreciation of those who have been doing exceptionally well to promote Jolly Phonics teaching method and to eradicate illiteracy in Zamfara State and northern Nigeria as a whole.

Those he presented the award include: the Emir of Gusau, HRH Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Bello (Sarkin Katsinan Gusau), the Emir of Tsafe, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Bawa and the Emir of Kaura Namoda, HRH Major, Dr. Sanusi Muhammad Ahmad Asha FCNA., MPhil.

Others are, the Jolly Phonics Northern coordinator, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bello, the Technical Education Specialist of Universal Learning Solutions and Jolly Phonics project Manager, Jolliest Abbas Mohammed, ZSUBEB Directors, Education Secretaries, Jolly Phonics National trainers and Teacher Leaders across the state and beyond.

In his reaction to the Jolly Phonics activities in Zamfara State, North and Nigeria as a whole, the Emir of Tsafe, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Bawa said he is fully in support of Jolly Phonics programme considering its effectiveness in delivering the world from the hand of illiteracy. He stated this in one of the Jolly Phonics chats with the Emir.

Some of the awardees and participants who spoke to Troubleshooter Reporters lauded the organizers of the ceremony and appreciated the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board and Universal Learning Solutions for the recognition.

The Technical Education Specialist of Universal Learning Solutions, Jolliest Abbas Mohammed who is strongly spearheading the Jolly Phonics project in northern Nigeria was among the awardees. He received an award for outstanding contributions in many spheres of the Jolly Phonics project in Nigeria.

He said the journey so far has been fruitful with the help of God, and the determination of the region’s strong team to make the project a success.

He further thanked everyone, especially the Government of Zamfara State through the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board and the state’s committed and determined Jolly Phonics teachers, while appealing to keep the hands on deck for greater successes ahead.

Another recipients was Zainab Mohammed (Team Leader of Kaduna State Jolly Phonics Trainers) who said her passion and commitment to Jolly Phonics project in northern Nigeria is immeasurable, while thanking ZSUBEB, the ULS (specially Jolly Abbas Mohammed of the organization) and the entire Jolly Phonics team in the north for the recognition.

“A very big thank you to ULS and ZSUBEB for this honor. I feel so delighted being among the awardees. It makes me feel great to be rewarded for the passion and dedication to the Jolly Phonics project in Northern Nigeria.

“It was indeed the handwork of my boss Jolly Abbas Muhammad the Technical Education Specialist (ULS) that earned me this honour today. I am sincerely grateful to you, Sir and also to the entire Northern Jolly Phonics team,” she said.

A national trainer from Kaduna, Saifullahi Idris said the great performance and display of intelligence by the pupils during the Jolly Phonics quiz activity showed the powerful nature of Zamfara State in the world of Jolly Phonics.

Saifullahi said, “Indeed, this is the mother state of the Jolly Phonics in the North. All what we expected to see, we see them beyond expectations. The amazing participation of the pupils during the quiz is a replica of the wonderful work that Jolly Phonics teachers in the state have been doing.”

Other awardees and participants who extolled the organizers of the memorable event while speaking to our reporter include: Abdullahi Haruna Adam, Hauwa Umar, Suraj Abdullahi, Zainab Wakala, Nura Ibrahim, Murtala Bala, Aliyu Baba Mohammed and many others. They all described the 10th anniversary and award ceremony as a great success and morale booster to do more.

Jolly Phonics is a unique teaching method that teaches the beginners of the English Language the simplest way to learn to read and write in a fun-filled way. It has so far made a great impact and recorded a lot of successes across the States of the Federation.