Bauchi sponsors 2 to World Qur'anic recitation
The Bauchi state government is to sponsor two females to the forthcoming World Qur'anic recitation in Malaysia.
Gov. Ahmadu Mu'azu, announced this in Bauchi while presenting cars to the six contestants who represented the state and won laurels in the 2006 National Qur'anic recitation competition held in Bauchi.
Mu'azu said arrangements had been concluded for the sponsorship of the contestants to represent Nigeria in the competition's female category.
The governor expressed optimism over the chances of the contestants to win the competition.
He commended them for their outstanding performance in the last competition, describing it as an ``excellent performance.''
He reiterated government's commitment toward the development of education, adding that his administration accorded priority to the growth of Islamic knowledge and teachings through the award scholarships.
According to Muazu, this is also done through the integration of Qur'anic schools into the formal school system and introduction of teacher training and incentives.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the hopefuls for the Malaysian contest, Miss Zainab Usman, emerged winner in the female sixth category in the 21st national Qur'anic recitation competition.
The second contestant, Miss Musharrafa Isah, was among the more than 50 female contestants drawn from 25 states who participated in the memorisation, teachings and science of the Holy Qur'anic in the last competition.