From Dauda Illiya (Borno)
Borno State Government has begun the disbursement of 304 million naira as scholarship to 10, 118 students of tertiary institutions.
The Commissioner for Higher Education, Innovation and Technology, Dr Mustapha Malumbe made this known while launching the second phase of the payment in Maiduguri.
Dr Malumbe noted that indigenes of the state that are studying in forty tertiary institutions across the country are expected to benefit.
According to him, the state government had in March 2020, paid the sum of 320 million naira to over thirteen thousand students during the first batch but was discontinued due the covid-19 pandemic and the strike action embarked by ASUU.
“The phase two of 304 million naira will now kick off as the academic staff have called off their strike and we are expecting academic activities across the country to commence. So the Governor graciously also approved and directed that this payment should start effective from today”.
The Commissioner expressed commitment of Governor Babagana Zulum to uplift the standard of education and improve the well-being of students.
He commended the scholarship board for keying into the human capacity development of the administration.
Executive Secretary, Borno state Scholarship Board, Alhaji Adamu Usman said the board has successfully screened 23,776 students for the 2019/2020 season.
He urged students to always apply for any scholarship opportunity and grants within and outside the country.
Two of the benefitting students, Hauwa Usman from University of Abuja and Mohammed Umar from ABU Zaria said the scholarship will greatly assist them in course of their studies as academic activities are about to commence.