By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
Gombe State has recorded another remarkable feat on the international stage as Maryam Ibrahim Danazumi emerged champion of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Recitation Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The young Qur’anic scholar’s outstanding performance has earned commendation from the Gombe State Commissioner for Education, Associate Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari, who described the victory as a source of pride for her family, teachers, the state and Nigeria.
Maigari spoke when she received the Gombe State Qur’an Recitation Competition Committee, led by its Chairman, Sheikh Dr Adam Muhammad Ardo, together with Maryam, who represented Nigeria at the prestigious global contest.
The Commissioner attributed Maryam’s success to discipline, determination, hard work and the strong moral foundation provided by her family and teachers.
She particularly praised the reciter’s mastery of Tajweed and the quality of her voice, saying her performance demonstrated exceptional skill and deep commitment to the Holy Qur’an.
According to Maigari, Maryam had not only carried Nigeria’s flag with dignity but had also shown that young Nigerians can excel on the world stage when given the right support and opportunities.
“You have made your parents, teachers and all of us proud. You have become a global symbol of excellence worthy of emulation,” she said.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya administration to strengthening education and rewarding excellence among students across the state.
Earlier, Sheikh Ardo revealed that Maryam’s journey to the international stage began in 2018 when she first entered Qur’an recitation competitions under the two-Hizb category.
From that modest beginning, he said, she steadily progressed through different categories, winning competitions and building the experience that eventually took her to the international arena.
Her latest breakthrough came after she excelled at the national Qur’an recitation competition in Maiduguri, Borno State, earning her the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Makkah contest.
Maryam was among Nigerian representatives from Gombe, Zamfara, Kano and Niger States who participated in the international competition.
The 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Recitation Competition was held between August 6 and 19, 2026, in Makkah, attracting 334 contestants from 133 countries.
Sheikh Ardo congratulated the Gombe State Government on the growing success of its Qur’an recitation programme, attributing the achievements to reforms introduced by the committee and strict adherence to transparent and comprehensive competition rules.
He also acknowledged the contributions of committee members, judges, teachers, mentors, philanthropists and other supporters who played various roles in nurturing Maryam’s talent.
He said their combined efforts were helping to produce a new generation of outstanding Qur’anic talents capable of bringing honour to Gombe State and Nigeria on the international stage.
Maryam’s victory, he added, represents not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the potential of sustained investment in Qur’anic education and youth development.
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