The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has said the Boko Haram insurgency is a great setback to western education in the state.
Garbai stated this when he received members of the senior course of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information in his palace in Maiduguri on Monday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The Shehu noted that before the advent of the Boko Haram insurgency, some people were hesitant in embracing western education as they concentrated in Qur’anic education.
Garbai added although various administrations in the state had been able to convince the people on the advantages of western education, massive destruction of schools by the insurgents had caused great setback.
“The Boko Haram insurgents have further worsened our condition in terms of western education”, NAN quoted the Shehu of Borno as saying at the forum.
“Ordinarily some of our people prefer to send their children to Islamic schools but as the people are beginning to accept western education, the massive destruction of schools by the insurgents had taken us back”.
Garbai commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his effort in fighting the insurgents.
“We are lucky to have survived the insurgents’ onslaught in the state.
“The relocation of the military high command to Maiduguri by Buhari and the subsequent appointment of Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and other capable hands to head the security agencies brought hope to us”, the Shehu of Borno added.