Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has rewarded 19-year-old Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi with N20 million following her historic victory at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Maryam, who represented Nigeria at the prestigious international competition, was received by the First Lady in Abuja after she was presented to her by Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The young Qur’anic scholar was accompanied by her father, Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, the governor and members of the Gombe State delegation.
Maryam is a student of Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School for Qur’anic Memorisation in Gombe.
She emerged winner in the women’s category after competing against participants from several countries.
Her category involved the memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of all 60 Hizb with Tafsir.
The achievement attracted widespread attention because the 46th edition of the competition marked the first time women were allowed to participate in the event.
Remi Tinubu celebrates Maryam’s achievement
Receiving Maryam and her delegation at the Presidential Villa, the First Lady described the teenager’s achievement as a source of pride for Nigeria and an inspiration to young Nigerians, particularly girls.
Tinubu commended Maryam’s parents for supporting her development and recognised the efforts of her teachers and mentors in helping her prepare for the international competition.
She said Maryam’s accomplishment demonstrated the importance of discipline, hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence.
The First Lady also indicated her willingness to support Maryam in pursuing postgraduate education.
Maryam receives international recognition
Maryam’s N20 million reward from the First Lady comes after she secured a major prize at the international Qur’anic competition in Saudi Arabia.
Following her victory, she received 300,000 Saudi Riyals, reported at the time to be approximately N120 million.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier congratulated Maryam, describing her performance in Makkah as an achievement that brought honour and recognition to Nigeria.
The President also recalled the achievement of Maryam’s elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, who won an international Qur’anic competition in Jordan in 2024.
Gombe Governor presents champion to First Lady
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said Maryam’s achievement represented not only a major accomplishment for Gombe State but also a source of pride for Nigeria.
The governor said Maryam had participated in local and national Qur’anic competitions before earning the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the international event.
He commended her parents, teachers and mentors for their contributions to her success.
Maryam, while responding to the recognition, thanked the First Lady for the N20 million award and the honour accorded her.
She said her participation in the Saudi Arabian competition provided her with valuable international exposure and expressed hope that her achievement would encourage other young Nigerians to pursue excellence.
Maryam’s recognition by the First Lady comes after her historic performance at the Makkah competition, where she emerged as Nigeria’s winner in the newly introduced women’s category.
