KATSINA – The Nigeria Foundation for the Support of Victims of Terrorism has awarded N25.1 million in scholarships 130 exceptional but underprivileged students of Katsina State studying in nine tertiary institutions in the state.
The recipients must have attained a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher in each of their many institutions to be eligible, according to a statement made on Wednesday in Katsina by Malam Salisu Lawal-Kerau, the spokesman for the Katsina State Scholarships Board.
Students at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Al-Qalam University, Federal University Daura, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, and Federal University Dutsinma are among the beneficiaries.
The others are Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management, Federal Polytechnic Daura, Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal and General Studies and Isa Kaita College of Education Dutsinma
Lawal-Kerau said that Dr. Aminu Salisu-Tsauri, the Executive Secretary of the Scholarship Board, praised the foundation’s work.
He continued by saying that Salisu-Tsauri had addressed the heads of the chosen schools at a meeting to discuss the procedures for awarding the scholarships.
Lawal-Kerau quoted Salisu-Tsauri as saying: “the gesture will no doubt complement efforts of the state government in bringing succour to the indigent students.
“It is on record that the state governor approved more than N640 million recently as scholarship allowances to fresh and continuing students of the state for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions.
“The board also introduced a programme, first of its kind in its history, captioned `Katsina State Government Award of Academic Excellence’, where 210 students got N50,000 as scholarship each.
’’The fund is generated from wealthy and generous Nigerians, according to Hajiya Saudatu Mahadi, the leader of the foundation’s team at the meeting who spoke on behalf of retired Maj.-Gen. TY Danjuma, the chairman.
According to her, former President Goodluck Jonathan launched the programme to help and lessen the suffering and anguish endured by those who have been affected by terrorism in the nation.