Maiduguri Flood: Reps Task Finance Ministry, Others to Release Fund for Re-Opening of Nigerian Arabic Language Village

Maiduguri Flood: Reps Task Finance Ministry, Others to Release Fund for Re-Opening of Nigerian Arabic Language Village

The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, Federal Ministry of Education; Humanitarian Affairs, and Finance as well as the Director General, Budget of the Federation; Accountant General of the Federation; Director General, National Emergency Management Agency; and Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission to approve immediate release of funds from the Service Wide Votes to the Nigeria Arabic Language Village for the procurement of all the potential and essential items required for the resumption of its operations and academic activities.

The House Resolution was sequel to a motion by Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata (APC Jigawa State) and co-sponsored by All Members of House Committee on University Education and Members from Borno State.

Presenting the motion, Fulata noted

that the recent flood disaster that submerged Maiduguri and environs as well as other neighboring Local

Government Areas, caused unimaginable loss of lives, livestock, and property worth billions of naira.

He said the flood disaster affected, among others, government institutions, including the Nigerian Arabic Language Village, which was originally located in Ngamburun Ngala but was forced to relocate to its Liaison Office in Maiduguri as a result of Boko Haram insurgency before this unfortunate incident occurred;

He stated that the Arabic Language Village, is one of the four Inter-University Centers established by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the aim of offering Arabic and such other related courses to Nigerians by promoting Arabic Immersion services to undergraduates of Universities and Acculturation services to students from Colleges of Education.

He said the Arabic Village fosters cooperation and ties with other countries, particularly in Arabic speaking and cultural exhibitions, bridging language barriers in the Comity of Nations;

He expressed concern that the flood submerged the Arabic Language Village, destroying computers, ICT appliances, books, journals, offices, library, furniture, and fittings. He added that the Boko Haram insurgency complicated the situation.

He said the center’s strategic roles in immersion and acculturation programs have been suspended due to the flood;

“Also disturbed that students undergoing a one-year compulsory program in the Village will be stranded pending rehabilitation and replacement of damaged books, equipment, computers, and teaching aids for Arabic and academic activities;

“Cognizant that the paucity of funds and the fact that the Borno State Government that has been assisting the village is itself in dire need of assistance in view of the fact that it is also overwhelmed by the flood disaster, hence, craves for financial and all forms of assistance to ameliorate the sufferings of its citizens,

thus can no longer render any assistance to the village,” he said.

Following his prayers, the House

urged the National Emergency Management Agency to immediately provide and distribute relief materials to the institution, students, and the staff affected by the flood.

The House also urged the MDAs listed in the motion to include substantial amounts for the development of the permanent site of the Arabic Language Village in the 2025 budget as well as make provision for the maintenance and sustenance of the existing temporary site for full operation pending the completion and handover of the permanent site.

The House mandated its Committee on University Education to investigate the level of damage and the requirements to put the institution back into operation and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.