Kebbi State governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, the Kauran Gwandu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for everyone including children with poor and less-privileged backgrounds, stressing that no child should be treated as a second-class citizen in the state.
A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yahaya Sarki noted that he gave this assurance during the farewell ceremony held for 35 students sponsored to study Medicine and Pharmacy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event was held at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Governor Idris said his administration remains people-oriented and resolute in delivering quality education to the people of Kebbi State while noting that previous scholarship programmes were in most cases dominated by children from wealthy families, explaining that his government has deliberately prioritized brilliant students from humble backgrounds.
According to him, experience has shown that many students previously sponsored abroad to study professional courses later switched to less relevant disciplines, despite the availability of such courses in Nigerian universities. He said this informed his decision to ensure that only the best and most committed students are sponsored under the state’s scholarship scheme.
‘As a professional teacher, I understand that children of the poor often possess exceptional talents. That is why we insist on merit, discipline and commitment. This programme has come to stay’ the governor declared.
Governor Idris advised the students travelling to Ethiopia to remain focused, disciplined and united, urging them to concentrate on their studies, avoid negative influences and seek help whenever they encounter challenges.
He assured them of continued government support and promised to visit them during one of his routine stopovers in Addis Ababa.
He further disclosed plans by his administration to sponsor children of less-privileged families to study aircraft piloting and aircraft engineering abroad, by the grace of God.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Isah Abubakar Tunga informed the gathering that the 35 students, who are indigenes of the state, were fully screened and selected to study MBBS and Pharmacy at a premium medical college in Addis Ababa.
10 among the students, he added, are Huffiz who memorized the Holy Qur’an and are enjoying tuition-free education, with the state government catering for their upkeep, while the remaining 25 students have had their tuition fees, books and allowances fully paid by Kebbi State Government.
The Commissioner added that only three of the students will study Pharmacy, while the rest will study Medicine, assuring that all expenses have been settled with no outstanding liabilities.
Also speaking, a representative of the parents, Dr. Rufai Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Nasir Idris for giving children of ordinary citizens the rare opportunity to study abroad.
He noted that none of the beneficiaries is a child of a senator, commissioner or a state lawmaker, describing the good gesture as clear demonstration of the governor’s passion for the poor and less-privileged-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
