By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has awarded ₦20 million to Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, the Nigerian student who emerged winner in a category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Recitation Competition in Saudi Arabia.
The cash gift was presented to Maryam at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday when Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, led a delegation to introduce her to the First Lady.
Yahaya disclosed the donation in a Facebook post, thanking Tinubu for the “warm reception and N20m support towards Maryam’s education.”
Maryam, a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community School for Qur’anic Memorisation in Gombe State, won the second category of the international competition held in Makkah.
She competed in the category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation, scoring 97.70 marks.
Her victory came during the first edition of the 46-year-old competition to admit female contestants.
Maryam’s performance also reportedly earned her a ₦120 million prize from the Saudi Arabian competition.
According to a statement signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, Ismaila Misilli, Tinubu described Maryam’s achievement as a source of pride to Nigerian women and the girl-child.
“Maryam has brought joy to us. You have made us proud by conquering the world, especially in this area of faith and divine knowledge,” the First Lady said.
The First Lady’s support brings the recognition for Maryam’s international achievement to both national and state attention, while the funds are expected to support her continued education.
