Honorable Mahmood Lawal Sama’ila Honored with Meritorious Service Award by COEASU

By Abubakar Labaran

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Gidan Waya Chapter, has honored Honorable Mahmood Lawal Sama’ila, Member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly (KSHA) and Chairman of the Committee on Education, with a Meritorious Service and Excellence Award. 

The award was presented during a colorful ceremony held at the College’s hall in Gidan Waya, as part of COEASU’s End-of-Year Secretariat/Financial Report Presentation, Send-off for Retired Members, and Award event. 

Dr. Alkali Marados, Chairman of COEASU at the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, commended Honorable Sama’ila for his outstanding contributions and impactful innovations in the state’s education sector, which have significantly advanced its development. 

Dr. Marados also praised the Kaduna State Government for approving the extension of the retirement age for academic staff to 65 years, a move he described as crucial for retaining experienced professionals in the education system. 

In his acceptance speech, Honorable Sama’ila expressed gratitude to the union for the recognition, describing it as a motivating gesture. He highlighted the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to education under the leadership of Senator Uba Sani, emphasizing the significant investments being made in the sector. 

Speaking to journalists after receiving the award, Honorable Sama’ila noted that the state’s dedication to education is driven by the passion of Governor Uba Sani and members of the State House of Assembly. He revealed that the government allocated 25.5% of its budget to education last year, with an increase to 26.6% this year, reflecting a strong commitment to improving the sector. 

He also mentioned that Governor Uba Sani has significantly reduced school fees for students in tertiary institutions across the state, making higher education more accessible to the youth. 

Honorable Sama’ila further highlighted the efforts of the State House of Assembly in advancing education, including the sponsorship of relevant bills and initiatives such as scholarship programs aimed at repositioning the sector for better performance and overall development in Kaduna State. 

The event concluded with celebrations honoring both the award recipients and retiring members of the union, marking a significant milestone in the recognition of excellence and service in Kaduna’s education sector.