Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has admonished the 117 students going to India from the state to be good Ambassadors of the country, the state and their respective families.
The students are part of the 262 approved by the governor to go to India, Sudan and Ukraine to pursue their education in Medicine and Engineering.
Bagudu, who bade farewell to the students in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall Presidential lodge, urged them to be hard working and actively compete with other students to make Kebbi State proud.
“Let me start by appreciating and thanking Almighty Allah for showing us this day in which some of our children are joining what has happened before in going abroad in search of education.
“This is not the first time Kebbi State Government is sending students abroad,” he said.
The governor said that education remained on the top agenda of his administration in spite of the prevailing global economic challenges and some COVID-19 induced problems.
The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum vowed, “sending students abroad would remain top on the agenda of my administration.
“Previous governments in the state had sent students abroad, but what makes our own different are the current financial challenges.
“In spite of these formidable challenges, as well as COVID-19 restrictions, today we are good to go.
“Sending students abroad does not however mean that there are no good universities or good students in Nigeria.”
Bagudu maintained that education is universal, as such Kebbi state must have these students as Ambassadors globally.
According to him, while there, they should understudy foreign cultures and societies, with a view to enriching the Kebbi cultures.
Bagudu commended state Commissioner for Higher Education for being diligent in the selection and the placement of the students in three Indian Universities.
He reiterated that the State would continue to do more, urging, “go there and take on the world.”
Bagudu admonished them to always observe COVID-19 protocols, although they were all duly vaccinated.
He commended the members of the State House of Assembly for their sustained cooperation to ensure the success of the various programmes and policies of the state government.
Bagudu further appealed, “we should celebrate these students and always pray fervently for their successes.”
He congratulated the successful students , parents and the Ministry for Higher Education for the tremendous efforts put in the fair selection of the students as well as securing admission for them.
Earlier, Professor Umar Mukhtar Bunza, the Commissioner for Higher Education appreciated Governor Atiku Bagudu who according to him, in his magnanimity approved and released the amount needed to cater for the selected students.
He recalled that in January 2022, Governor Bagudu had graciously approved and release N450 million being balance of registration fees for indigenous students that would study in foreign universities in Ukraine, India and Sudan to study medicine and engineering courses.
“It could be recalled on 1 July, 2021, the governor released N450 million representing 50 per cent of the total fees of the grand total amounting to N907 million for the payment of registration fees for the students.
“On 17 Dec., 2021, Bagudu graciously approved the release of $1,060,000 US dollars to cover tuition fees, accommodation, feeding and modest pocket money to students travelling abroad for studies.
“In addition to the N355 million that was approved to cater for logistics including international and local air fares, visa processing fees, police screening, crime free certification, drug free certification from Federal Ministry of Education and Foreign Affairs for the 262 students,” he said.
Umar-Bunza expressed immense appreciation to Bagudu for committing such enormous resources to support and sponsor indigenes of the state for studies.
“It was worth mentioning that the number of graduates of the state origin from various institutions of learning both within and outside Nigeria has multiplied manifold since Bagudu took over the mantle of leadership of the state,” the commissioner said.
He congratulated the governor and commended him for achieving what he described as wonderful and unprecedented feat in the history of Kebbi State.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Hajiya Asabe Dirin Daji thanked the governor for giving their wards the opportunity to go abroad in search of further knowledge while assuring him that the students will not let the state down.
She also advised the students to be of good behavior abroad as indigenes of Kebbi State.
In the same vein, speaking on behalf of NUKESS, Muhammad Muhammad and Jabir Aliyu Etene, who spoke on behalf of the students appreciated the governor for the opportunity.
He assured the governor that they would be good ambassadors of the State and Nigeria in general while in the foreign land.
Also, the Deputy Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly Hon. Usman Muhammad Ankwai while appreciating governor Bagudu, charged the students to be committed to success.
Highlights of the event were presentation of award of scholarship to the students by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and special prayer session by Malan Chindo Gotomo and Dr. Umar Birnin Tudu for Allah’s protection and blessings to the students.
The Governor along side his Deputy, rtd Col. Samaila Yombe Dabai, Chief of Staff Government House Birnin Kebbi, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, Jarman Kabi, Commissioner of Higher Education, Professor Umar Mukhtar Bunza as well top Government functionaries accompanied the governor to Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi to witness the departure of the students.
It will be recalled that last year in December 2021, Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu approved foreign training programme of two hundred and sixty two students of the state to study medicine and engineering courses, in India, Ukraine and Sudan.
Signed,
Yahaya Sarki
Special Adviser (SA) Media
to Kebbi State Governor.Governor.0
