By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Babagana Zulum’s passion to improve access to quality Education, Rt. Hon. Engr. Satomi Ahmed, Member representing Jere Federal Constituency of Borno State at the House of Representatives of the National Assembly on Sunday, disbursed N20 million grants to one thousand (1,000) Jere students who are pursuing tertiary education in various institutions across Nigeria.
Hon. Satomi said, “this gesture, which is an annual event is aimed at empowering the students and contributing to the development of the community, as well take away children off the streets.”
Flagging off the exercise at the Prime Lodge Multi Purpose Hall, Maiduguri which was attended by various leaders of the students’ bodies and stakeholders, the Lawmaker said, the beneficiaries were selected out of the 2,500 students who applied for scholarships.
He noted that the selection of the beneficiaries were 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 programme, Satomi said: ” Inline with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Babagana Zulum’s passion to improve 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 have given scholarship 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 to address 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 Government alone, but a collective efforts 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 serious so as to make them graduate with a good certificates that can secure them a good jobs in the society.
On the issue of out-of -school children (Almajiris) which are peculiar to Borno and the Northern Nigeria in particular, the Chairman 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 any 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 said.
Encomium were then poured on Hon. Satomi from various students’ groups/association, including the President 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 Lawmaker for his support to the development of education, jobs creation, poverty alleviation and many empowerment initiatives to 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. End
