Professor Mary Lar has been commended for pioneering nomadic education in Nigeria, by driving the initiative for nomadic communities who migrate from one place to the other due to pastoral practices.
Mary Lar, who is the wife of Late Chief Solomon Lar, the first civilian governor of Plateau State and pioneer National President of the People’s Democrats Party (PDP), received the commendation at the celebration of her 90th birthday celebration. She was also a former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands.
The birthday celebration which was commemorated in Abuja, was thereafter celebrated in Jos the Plateau State capital yesterday by the government, dignitaries, family members and friends of the professor.
Recall that Professor Mary Lar pioneered nomadic education in Nigeria by conceptualizing the National Commission for Nomadic Education, which was established in 1989 to cater to the educational needs of Nigeria’s nomadic population.
She served as the Director of the Centre for Nomadic Education at the University of Jos,which further boosted her commitment to nomadic education.
Furthermore, her passion in nomadic education led to her involvement in a UNESCO/UNDP research team, where she worked on projects aimed at improving education for nomadic communities.
So, at her 90th birthday celebration and reception, which she also marked with the presentation of her book titled “Life with my Best Friend”, she was hailed for her feat and achievement by instituting nomadic education in the country, development of the girl-child and as well literacy initiatives for the rural dwellers.
Speaking at the event, the Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Deputy Governor, Josephine Piyo, said Mrs. Lar was result-oriented educationist, philanthropist and a God-fearing woman who has achieved a lot not only for herself but for the society.
The deputy governor said Lar’s outstanding contribution to National development, nomadic education, intellectual works and her service to the people as the former First Lady of Plateau State is unequalled.
She said Lar’s strength at 90 (years) is due to God’s favour because of a service to humanity, sincere and upright lifestyle, her faithfulness and commitment to God’s work
In her remarks, Prof Mary Lar’s daughter Beni Lar, who was the immediate past member representing Langtang North and Langtang South in the House of Representatives, said many pastoralists who are mostly Fulanis benefited from the nomadic education.
According to her, Fulanis in Plateau State also benefited tremendously from the nomadic education, pointing out that Fulanis in Plateau State are ranked among the highest in terms of numbers Fulanis from the rural areas who obtain western education generally.
She said her mother passionately taught the Fulanis several subjects under the nomadic education programme, adding that her students have become great people in the society today in different professions, and that recently two doctors came to pay her a visit and said they are her students then and also beneficiaries of the nomadic education which she pioneered.
However, Beni Lar lamented that government in recent time has not given the necessary attention to nomadic education today, and therefore called on the government at all levels to the revitalize the programme.
She recalled that her mother also worked with the likes of Prof Jibril Aminu of the Nomadic Education Literacy Commission, and at the same time what are the extended the nomadic education programme to the South-South part of fishermen who were not attending schools then too, and were not allowing their children to also attend schools. That earned her a traditional title on Ugeb in Cross River State.
She praise her mother’s style of leadership, saying that unlike leaders of today or governor’s wives of today who like to enjoy themselves in their cozy and plush office environment, cars and houses, her mother was rather passionate of going into the bushes, deserts and rural areas to teach nomads and other people are like.
The book presenter, Kefas Ropshik (aka Kefiano), who also eulogized Prof Lar urged the government to officially honour and decorate Prof Mary Lar with the title “Mama Plateau”.
Others who attended and also praised the life of service of Prof Lar included Plateau state First Lady, Mrs Helen Mutfwang (esq), Sen. Napoleon Bali (AVM retired) Plateau CPC coordinator, Helen Edward Dabup, Chief Jonathan Onigbinde, former Plateau State First Lady, Mrs Valentina Dariye,( who spoke on behalf of all former first ladies of the state), the book reviewer, Rev. Dr Gideon Para-Mallam, Prince Mark Elayo, CMD of Juth Dr Pokop Bupwatda,Mrs Roselyn Tapgun,Vice Chancellor of University of Jos, Prof Tanko Ishaya, among others.
Highlights of the occasion was a fashion parade, music by the Nigeria Police band dance by the Theatre 15 music group, while pupils from one of the nomadic schools in Bokkos local government area of Plateau State rendered the national anthem to commence the occasion.