DAMATURU – In line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Babagana Zulum’s passion for improving access to quality education, Rt. Hon. Engr. Satomi Ahmad, the member representing Jere Federal Constituency from Borno State has on Sunday disbursed N20 million grants to one thousand (1,000) Jere students who are pursuing tertiary education in various institutions across Nigeria.
This gesture, an annual event, aims to empower the students and contribute to the development of the community, as well as take children off the streets.
Flagging off the exercise at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Prime Lodge in Maiduguri, the state capital, which was attended by various leaders of students’ bodies and stakeholders, the Lawmaker said the beneficiaries were selected out of the 2,500 students who applied.
He noted that the selection of the beneficiaries was conducted by a Committee devoid of political or ethnic considerations, adding that the benefitting students are mostly the deserving ones who are struggling to pay their tuition fees due to financial hardship.
In an interview with Journalists after the program, Satomi said: “In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Babagana Zulum’s passion for improving access to quality Education, we are here again to witness the disbursement of cash as scholarship assistance to Jere students.
“This is an annual event which I have to do so with the little resources at my disposal; last year, we gave scholarships to 1,250 Jere students pursuing their studies at various higher institutions across the country, in addition to free JAMB registration to thousands of applicants.
“This is because, I realized that, taking children off the streets, or addressing cases of millions of out-of-school children that is worrisome in Borno and the North, in general, should not be left in the hands of the Government alone, but a collective effort from parents, guardians and well-meaning individuals in the society”. Satomi said.
He, therefore, enjoined the beneficiaries, who are future leaders, to take their studies seriously to make them graduate with a good certificate that can secure them good jobs in society.
On the issue of out-of-school children (Almajiris), which are peculiar to Borno and Northern Nigeria in particular, the Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, said: I was part and parcel of those who supported the Bill for the creation of Commission for Almajiri and Out-Of-School Children. The Commission is set, and there is going to be a budgetary provision for the year 2025 to that effect.
” You are quite aware that the Executive Secretary of the Commission is no other person than Professor of Education, Sani El-Balature from Yobe state, and as lawmakers, we are working tirelessly with him to ensure that we augment the effort of the federal government led by President Tinubu and the Vice -President, Senator Kashim Shettima to trace or track those out of school children have access to basic education”. Satomi stated.
Encomium was then poured on Hon. Satomi from various students’ groups/associations, including the President of Students Union Government (SUG), University of Maiduguri, Comrade Hafis Mohammed Bello, Education Secretary Jere local government, Dr. Mallam Kullima, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Jere, Alhaji Ali Mai Fata among others.
They hailed the lawmakers for their support of the development of education, job creation, poverty alleviation, and many empowerment initiatives for the Jere people and beyond.
Likewise, the management of Talba International School for Quranic Education in Maiduguri presented an Award to Satomi for his support and contribution to the development of Western and Islamic education in the state.
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