The graduation ceremony, held at the Al-Waalidayn Charitable Foundation Headquarters in Pantami, marked the successful completion of a batch of training designed to equip young Nigerians with high-demand technical skills.

The initiative, fully sponsored by Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON, aims to create a generation of job creators rather than job seekers. All 250 graduates, selected on merit from across the state’s eleven local government areas, were not only awarded certificates but also received start-up tools to immediately launch their own workshops.

A statement by Professor Suleiman Mohammed of the Foundation said the training curriculum was comprehensive, covering practical smartphone repair, alongside cutting-edge modules in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The programme also included mentorship sessions focused on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and the confidence to establish sustainable businesses.

During the ceremony, elated participants expressed their gratitude. They thanked Professor Pantami for the transformative initiative and prayed for Allah to reward him abundantly.

The event was graced by a host of dignitaries, underscoring the initiative’s community importance. The District Head of Pantami commended Professor Pantami, whom he referred to by his traditional title of Waziri Pantami, stating the district was proud to have a son of his calibre.

Other notable attendees included the Sarkin Malaman Gombe, Alhaji Ahmad Walama; the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Professor Yusuf Abdullahi; as well as a cross-section of community leaders, politicians, academics, and religious figures.

According to a statement released by Professor Suleiman Mohammed on behalf of the PIP Foundation, this programme is an ongoing national effort. The training will continue in batches across several Nigerian states, with Bauchi State likely to be the next beneficiary.

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A 19-year-old tech prodigy from Sharada, Kano State, Khalifa Aminu, has developed groundbreaking innovations aimed at improving the lives of visually impaired individuals and enhancing mineral detection technology.

Khalifa designed a smart device that assists the visually impaired by alerting them to obstacles through a buzzer system, enabling safer navigation and independent mobility. He also pioneered a start-up focused on the detection of mineral resources and underground objects, a solution that holds significant promise for industries such as mining and construction.

Accompanied by his father, Khalifa visited former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, in Abuja to present his innovations and seek mentorship.

During the meeting, Pantami, a professor of cybersecurity warmly received the young innovator, commending his creativity and determination. He pledged his support for Khalifa’s initiatives, offering valuable guidance on scaling and refining his solutions.

Pantami, who is renowned for his advocacy of youth empowerment through technology, advised Khalifa to remain committed to innovations that serve humanity. He emphasized the importance of developing technologies that not only address societal challenges but also create employment opportunities and drive economic growth.

The visit was facilitated by Salisu Abdurrazzaq Sahel, one of Professor Pantami’s young mentees, who led the team that introduced Khalifa to the tech luminary.

Professor Pantami continues to inspire young Nigerians to become problem solvers, solution providers, and job creators by leveraging innovation and digital technology.

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This initiative highlights the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to empowering youth and expanding access to higher education in the region.

The program, designed to alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, will enable beneficiaries to pursue their academic aspirations without the constraints of registration costs.

Of the 1,000 students, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy personally sponsored 550, accounting for more than half of the beneficiaries. Additional support was provided by Salisu Abdurrazak Sahel, who sponsored 200 students, and Nafi’u Muhammad, who funded 250 students.

Their collective contributions have made this transformative initiative possible, showcasing a shared vision for fostering educational opportunities and socio-economic growth.

The Professor Isa Pantami Foundation’s efforts underscore its dedication to creating a more equitable educational landscape and nurturing the next generation of leaders and professionals.

By investing in these 1,000 students, the Foundation and its partners aim to inspire hope, drive academic excellence, and contribute to the long-term development of the region.

This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and the profound impact of targeted educational support. The Foundation remains committed to its mission of empowering communities through education and creating pathways for sustainable progress.

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I vividly remember my first encounter with Shaykh Professor Ali Isa Pantami back in 2001. It was at the Ummah Mosque,
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, shortly after the Zuhr prayer. He had gathered all the new students—Direct Entry, 100 Level, and Remedial students—for a welcome address. In his usual endearing and impactful style, he urged us to fear Allah, dedicate ample time to our studies, and surround ourselves with individuals who would enhance our lives, both in terms of faith and academics. Those golden few minutes have left a lasting impression, serving as a guiding principle throughout my time on campus.

Barely two weeks later, I encountered him again near the popular L.E. Lecture rooms, walking from the car park to the department. I was with a dear friend who happened to be wearing jeans that extended below his ankles. In his characteristic gentle manner, Prof. Pantami greeted us warmly, shook our hands, and kindly corrected my friend’s attire.

Following that, he inquired about our studies. We responded with an “Alhamdulillah,” and he imparted more timeless wisdom: “Make every effort to understand what you’re being taught. For those aspects that require memorization, commit them to memory; for those that demand comprehension, ensure you grasp them fully. But remember, there is no time to waste—time runs faster here.”

Those words became our mantra, and by Allah’s grace, we graduated among the top of our classes.

Simplicity and Listening Ears

One of Prof. Pantami’s most remarkable qualities, which many may not know, is his simplicity and willingness to listen. Throughout our undergraduate years to the present day, we have had the unique freedom to offer corrections. On various occasions, we approached him with concerns about certain matters we felt were not handled correctly. He never frowned, despite the daunting nature of the conversation for us. Instead, he expressed gratitude, prayed for us, and provided detailed explanations. Often, it turned out we had misunderstood the situation. At other times, he acknowledged a mistake or oversight and promised to rectify it—which he consistently did.

I have, on a few occasions, reached out to Shaykh while he was serving as Minister, beginning with the phrase: “Malam, ku ji tsoron Allah” (meaning, “You should fear Allah”) before expressing my frustrations. To my astonishment, instead of replying via WhatsApp, he would often call me, despite his packed schedule. After exchanging pleasantries, he would smile and say, “Ka cika zafi, Malam Abubakar” (meaning, “You’re too emotional, Malam Abubakar”), before calmly explaining the situation in detail. Despite being his student, younger, and far less knowledgeable, I always felt respected and honored by his responses.

A Leader Who Values Ideas

Shaykh Pantami’s openness to new ideas is another standout trait. Those who work closely with him will tell you that when you present an issue, he first gives you the floor to suggest solutions. His favorite line is, “How do you think we should go about this?” If your idea is feasible, he empowers you to coordinate it with others and ensures that you have his full support to bring it to fruition.

Prof. Pantami’s generosity is unmatched, yet he insists on maintaining anonymity. Time and again, he has helped individuals through me, emphasizing the importance of not disclosing his involvement.

A Lifelong Impact on Thousands

As someone who was actively involved in the MSSN ATBU from my first year—serving as Assistant Chairman, then Chairman of the Da’wah Committee, Assistant Secretary General, and later General Secretary—I witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of Prof. Pantami. Through his tireless efforts, he has positively influenced thousands of young people—not just on our campus but also in nearby polytechnics and the Yelwa community.

His life is a testament to humility, service to faith, and dedication to humanity. Truly, Shaykh Pantami is an unassuming figure whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.

Dr. Abubakar Umar (@Realoilsheikh)

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TECH DIGEST – The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted Airtel Nigeria, a verification and enrolment license to register citizens in the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) programme.

The approval was contained in a notice issued recently by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

With the approval, Nigerians can now complete their NIN registration process at any accredited Airtel outlet nationwide.

Commenting on this development, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Pantami, for expanding the registration footprints and for taking definitive steps to smoothen the NIN process as well as ease the burden on Nigerians.

“Airtel is always seeking opportunities to cooperate and partner with the Nigerian government on initiatives that will make life easier and better for Nigerians. As a law abiding and responsible corporate citizen, we are always ready to go the extra mile for our esteemed stakeholders and that is why we are pleased to partner with the Federal Government and NIMC on citizens’ registration exercise,” he said.

Foreign nationals are required to present their international passports only to register a new SIM when the restriction on registration of new sims is lifted, he added.

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