By Kamal Hammajo | September 14, 2025
GOMBE — Tears of joy and words of gratitude filled the air in Gombe town as parents and pupils testified to the impact of the Misilli Community Foundation, which has been enrolling out-of-school children back into classrooms. At a gathering attended by community leaders, government officials, and beneficiaries, parents described the foundation as a lifeline for families who could not afford school fees.
One of the beneficiaries, Hamza Ubale Hamza, a pupil of Herwagana Primary School, expressed his excitement: “I’m very excited and dedicated to my studies. If not for this foundation, I would have not been able to enroll in school. I want to study hard so I can also help others in the future.”
Parents also voiced their appreciation. Maikudi Dangomna, father of two beneficiaries, said: “Without this foundation, my children would still be roaming the streets. Today, they are in school, and everything they need is provided. I cannot thank the Misilli family enough.” Similarly, Aliyu Muktur Tukur, father of four beneficiaries, remarked: “This program has lifted a huge burden from my family. They pay the fees, buy uniforms, and even monitor the children to make sure they go to school. May Allah reward them abundantly.”
The testimonies echoed the foundation’s mission to address the out-of-school crisis in the North-East subregion, which was devastated by insurgency and displacement. While government at all levels is working to reduce the number of out of school children, thousands remain unattended. Established in 2024, the Misilli Community Foundation has stepped in to bridge the gap through education, health, and community development projects within Gombe Local Government Area.
In just three years, the foundation has successfully enrolled over 70 children into secondary schools with 65 girls and 11 boys, while also enrolling 150 pupils into primary schools, including 88 girls and 62 boys. It has also supported tertiary students with scholarships and JAMB registration fees. Beyond education, the foundation has offset medical bills for patients, installed two transformers, 10 solar-powered boreholes, and 60 solar streetlights. Outstanding students were rewarded with motorcycles, school bags, and other items to encourage excellence.
Speaking at the event, Alh. Ahmad Kasimu Abdullahi, Head of Service, Gombe State, commended the foundation and called on other wealthy individuals to emulate the gesture, while donating ₦50,000.00. He said: “This kind of project should not be left for government alone. What Misilli Foundation is doing will not only complement the Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s efforts but also leave a lasting positive mark in the hearts of the beneficiaries.”
Similarly, Alh. Ibrahim Yusuf (3000), Chairman Civil Society Organization, commended the founder and challenged political leaders to do more for their communities. In his words: “This kind of project should have been taken by politicians, instead of waiting for only when they need people’s support for their mandate before they start sharing food items and others. Everyone here should at least sponsor one of less privilege child, this kind of gesture will give us a smooth society.”
Dr. Hauwa Yahaya Umaru, representing SUBEB, praised the initiative, describing it as timely. She said: “This kind of gesture will fill the vacuum for out-of-school children in Gombe. Out-of-school children recorded recent years is alarming, while government enrolled 136,000, last year much more still needs to be done. Beneficiaries parents must also ensure their children attend classes.”
Alh. Abubakar Sadik, representing the Gombe State Ministry of Education, expressed appreciation to the foundation “for complementing government efforts” and urged parents and beneficiaries to remain committed.
Hajiya Amina Abdul of AGILE commended the program, noting: “It is AGILE that is supposed to look for collaboration with this foundation, not the other way around. This kind of foundation will take over when our program ends. We promise to support it from our agency.”
Ambassador Dauda Stanley also praised the founder, Alh. Isma’ila Uba Misilli, saying: “This kind of program was started by the Emir of Gombe, Alh. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, when he enrolled one thousand children to school. Uba Misilli is upholding the good work of the forefathers.” He supported the initiative with ₦200,000 and pledged to take responsibility for 50 pupils in the next batch.
Elder statesman Yaya Hammari (Waziri Yarima Gombe) described education as the best of the foundation’s interventions. He said: “In Islam, knowledge is the priority. The Misilli family has helping people in their blood, from their forefathers down to the present generation. Gombe Local Government is blessed to have them.” He further urged journalists to focus their reporting on community issues, citing his own attempts to draw attention to a dilapidated primary school.
In his welcome remarks, Barr. Lawal Uba Misilli, Coordinator of the foundation, explained the enrollment process: “We channel the process through ward heads for children aged six to seven. After enrollment, the foundation monitors pupils and students to make sure they attend school. We provide uniforms, writing materials, and renew the uniforms every year.”
The founder, Alh. Isma’ila Uba Misilli, noted that although the foundation was formally established three years ago, its roots go back more than half a century to his grandparents. He said: “The work has been there before us. What we are doing is continuing what our forefathers started. We will keep paying school fees, providing facilities, and rewarding the best among the children to encourage them.”
At the close of the program, participants and invited guests supported the initiative with cash donations, textbooks, exercise books, and writing materials to further strengthen the foundation’s work.
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