The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, bid farewell to 70 beneficiaries of his foreign scholarship scheme during a send-off ceremony held at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Sunday.
The beneficiaries, who departed aboard Ethiopian Airlines, each received $200 from the Deputy Senate President.
Additionally, Senator Barau announced a !30 million contribution raised by well-wishers, which will be shared among the students.
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Speaking shortly before their departure, Senator Barau stressed the importance of addressing educational challenges in Northern Nigeria. He described education as the foundation for tackling socio-economic issues and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts in advancing human capital development.
“This initiative aims to complement the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in making education accessible to youths from underprivileged backgrounds. Education is not solely the government’s responsibility; it requires collaborative efforts from private individuals, religious bodies, and other stakeholders,” he said.
Senator Barau highlighted that the scholarship program focuses on modern fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Robotics. He urged the students to excel academically, serve as good ambassadors of Kano State and Nigeria, and contribute to national development upon their return.
The 70 beneficiaries, comprising 65 males and 5 females from Kano’s three senatorial districts, received their admission letters on September 9, 2024. At a pre-departure event on Saturday, they were provided with travel documents, laptops, Hijabs for female students, and copies of the Holy Qur’an.
Assuring transparency in the selection process, Senator Barau stated, “I don’t know any of you personally; this process was purely merit-based, devoid of political or social considerations.”
The scholarships were awarded under the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation, with the Deputy Senate President reaffirming his commitment to empowering Kano’s youth for a brighter future.
