Nigerien minister visits Turkey's Maarif Foundation

By Emin Ileri

ISTANBUL (AA) - Niger's secondary education minister visited Turkey's Maarif Foundation (TMV) on Thursday in Istanbul.

Mohamed Sanoussi Elhadji Samro was accompanied by Salou Adama Gazibo, the Nigerien ambassador to Ankara, and a delegation.

According to a TMV statement, the delegation made a series of visits to Ankara, Konya, and Istanbul in efforts to rid schools linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind a defeated coup in Turkey.

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation in 2016 to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. The foundation also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

Birol Akgun, head of the TMV, said: "The six schools we have taken over from FETO on Jan. 2, 2017 are operating in the Niamey region under the name Niger-Turkish Friendship Schools."

"Also, our school campus which was built by TIKA [Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency] has been handed over to our foundation and became part of the Maarif schools, Akgun said.

He said around 1,200 students were studying in the 10 schools which belong to the foundation, and that the school gives education in all levels -- from pre-school to high school.

"We also serve 193 students in two dormitories, for both girls and boys," Akgun added.

"We organize various cultural, social and teaching activities in order to provide meaningful contribution to the education system of Niger," he said.

Samro, for his part, said: "We once again saw that we are brothers with the Turkish people, we never felt like strangers here. We will work on strengthening our relationship with Turkey.

- TMV brings 'fresh air' to education system in Niger

"Turkey Maarif Foundation has brought a a breath of fresh air to the education system in Niger," Samro said.

Emphasizing that public schools in Niger lack infrastructure, he said, "We want to take Turkey Maarif Foundation as an example in this regard. We want to develop out education infrastructure and system with support of Turkey."

Samro underlined the importance of the Niger-Turkey cooperation, saying Turkey contributes to the country not only in the education field but also in health, infrastructure and other fields.

"To make the good use of the young population and the natural resources [in Niger] we need a better education system. Therefore the quality of education is very important to us.

"We give great importance to the cooperation we have established with the Turkey Maarif Foundation," Samro said.

To conclude his visit, Samro will speak at a TMV conference on the Niger government's priorities in education and Niger-Turkey relations.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, including security forces, the judiciary, and education.

FETO also has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group.