Adamu Jingi did not get a formal education but he has great passion for it and has devoted his life to helping others acquire what he was not opportune get.
After attaining material success, he took the bull by the horn and established the Nafan Academy in
Jambutu. The school which was once a dream has now become a household name and ranked among the best schools in the state. As someone that had no formal education, he has fulfilled his dream of setting up a school with the establishment of the academy, which comprises both junior and senior secondary schools, nursery, primary as well as the adult education for both men and women.
Alhaji Adamu Jingi believes that education is the bedrock of any development and as such is ready to spend his last kobo towards uplifting the Nafan Academy to enviable position.
He is of the conviction that this is his contribution towards having a better society devoid of acrimony, tribe or religion. The school has a total enrollment of 602 pupils for both the primary and nursery sections with 18 teaching staff, who are holders NCE, DIPLOMA and GRADE 11 certificates.
The secondary section has 177 students divided into five classes while the junior section has 183 students divided into ten classes.
In addition to the above, the academy offers adult education classes for both men and women categorized as basic and advanced for the men. They are charged no fees, except the cost of the registration form.
In this age of technology, the school has an ICT centre, where the students do acquire practical skills in this vital area.
It is worthy to note that Alhaji Adamu Jingi introduced skill acquisition programme, where women are taught the art of making soap and many other ventures as his contribution towards the enhancement of the status of women.
Incidentally, pleased with his efforts, the Universal Basic Education Commission donated N2.4 million under its intervention fund to finance the construction of two blocks of classes and office while Alhaji Jingi added another two blocks.
In appreciation of his commitment to education of the less privileged, the District Head of Jimeta donated a piece of land measuring 100 by 100 for the expansion of the school, where six classes were constructed. Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board has commended this illustrious son, who had no formal education, but established a school that is geared towards uplifting the people, especially within Jambutu suburb. If individuals like Alhaji Adamu Jingi could be found all over Nigeria, the country would be rid of social malaise due to the high level of youths out of school.
Several people have applauded him for the establishment of the school and the skill acquisition programme, both of which have made hundreds of jobless youths to learn different types of trade. Equally, a lot of women especially widows who have acquired skills in one trade or the other. Today they are able to cater for their families through income generated from utilizing the skills they acquired.
Selfless people like this gentleman need to be commended for doing something beneficial to the society. Notwithstanding that he had no formal education, he is investing in human capital development through the school.
Last year, the school was registered as a centre for the conduct of both the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations. It is imperative for the society to recognise such individuals in the society, who are making impact on the lives of the people.
I therefore congratulate Alhaji Jingi and urge him to keep the flag flying.
The government needs to encourage people like Alhaji Adamu Jingi, whose philanthropic gesture has given several people in Adamawa State a new lease on life and hope for a better tomorrow. In developed countries, people like him are given the enabling environment to thrive as they are contributing to nation building.
► Usman Santuraki wrote from No 2 Santuraki Close, Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola.