The Registrar/Chief Executive, National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Wushishi, has received a major traditional honour as the Maji Dadin Gidan Mangoro in recognition of his contributions to the development of the community.

Wushishi was turbaned on Thursday in Minna, Niger State, during the commissioning of the newly constructed palace of the Mai-Anguwan Gidan Mangoro.

The ceremony drew traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders, NECO stakeholders and other dignitaries from Niger State and beyond, with cultural performances and awards adding colour to the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Wushishi said the palace was constructed under NECO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to strengthen its relationship with host communities and support grassroots development.

He stressed that NECO’s responsibilities went beyond examinations, certification and educational quality assurance, arguing that institutions could only thrive when their host communities enjoyed peace, stability and development.

“This commissioning ceremony is not just an event to officially open a structure; it is a celebration of partnership,” Wushishi said.

According to him, the project reflects NECO’s commitment to supporting communities where it operates and promoting traditional institutions as important pillars of social cohesion.

“As a Council, we understand that strong education systems thrive where communities are stable, peaceful, and well coordinated,” he said.

Gidan Mangoro, which hosts NECO’s headquarters, has maintained what Wushishi described as a peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship with the Council, providing an environment conducive to its operations.

The NECO chief commended the traditional institution, residents and other stakeholders for their cooperation over the years, saying NECO did not take the goodwill for granted.

Wushishi described the new palace as a symbol of unity, cultural heritage, leadership and reconciliation, adding that its construction demonstrated NECO’s belief that development must respect the cultural foundations of communities.

“By supporting the construction of this palace, NECO affirms that tradition matters, and development must respect cultural foundations,” he said.

The NECO chief executive also unveiled a long list of interventions undertaken by the Council as part of its CSR activities in Gidan Mangoro, Niger State and other host communities.

They include the provision of motorised boreholes at Gidan Mangoro and Gbaganako, two transformers each for Wushishi and Gidan Mangoro communities in 2023, and the NECO-ITF Community Skills Development Programme, which benefited 20 people in Gidan Mangoro.

Other interventions include sponsorship of a secondary school quiz competition aired by Power FM Bida, facilitation of NECO examinations in a Gidan Mangoro secondary school, refurbishment of the Minna Metropolis Police Area Command patrol vehicle, and support for equipment for the Laka Cultural Association’s Skills Development Programme.

The Council also redeemed a N2 million pledge to the Hajiya Rabi Sani Bello Skills Acquisition Centre in Kontagora, supported internally displaced persons in Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area, sponsored an Under-15 football competition for youths across Niger State and distributed learning materials to pupils of IBB Primary School, Minna, and Central Primary School, Wushishi, in collaboration with the BOS/BAT Movement in June 2024.

Wushishi expressed hope that the new palace would continue to serve the traditional institution and residents of Gidan Mangoro while strengthening the bond between the community and NECO.

Representing the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago, Sarki Samari, Salihu Garba, commended NECO for its interventions and urged other establishments within the Minna Emirate to replicate the gesture by investing in projects that improve the welfare of their host communities.

The Mai-Anguwan Gidan Mangoro, Mallam Sani Zagi, thanked the dignitaries and guests for honouring the ceremony, describing the palace as a landmark achievement for Gidan Mangoro and the wider Bosso Local Government Area.

The event featured cultural performances and awards to distinguished guests, but the turbaning of Wushishi as Maji Dadin Gidan Mangoro emerged as its major highlight.