By Kehinde Erin
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, has made a landmark move to support students from the state in tertiary institutions by approving the disbursement of bursary allowances and scholarships totaling ₦316,470,000 to 8,750 students, who are part of the first batch cleared by the Kogi State Scholarship Board.
This significant investment in education aims to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their academic pursuits
Under this initiative, 201 verified law students of Kogi State origin will receive a total of ₦60.3 million in bursary allowances, with each student getting ₦300,000.
Additionally, 8,549 undergraduate students in other higher institutions in the first batch will receive a total of ₦256.47 million in bursary allowances, with each student getting ₦30,000.
Related News
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Joel Salifu Oyibo, reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to prioritising education, aiming to create a conducive environment that fosters quality learning for Kogi students.
Notably, he highlighted that a significant 30% of the total budget is allocated to the education sector, demonstrating his commitment to empowering the youth and driving progress in Kogi State.
He stressed that his administration has taken significant steps to improve the quality and accessibility of education in Kogi State. One notable effort is the payment of school fees for students from secondary to tertiary institutions, easing the financial burden on families and enabling more students to pursue their educational goals.
Governor Ododo added that Kogi State is making significant strides in improving its education sector, boasting one of the lowest rates of out-of-school children nationwide.
Governor Ododo urged the beneficiaries of the education initiative to seize the opportunity by performing exceptionally well in their exams. He also emphasised the importance of shunning violence and promised automatic employment to students who achieve first-class honors across higher institutions in the state.
He expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast support in revolutionising the education sector, particularly through the introduction of the student loan scheme. This initiative is expected to enhance access to quality education for Nigerian citizens, providing them with the resources needed to succeed.
The state Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, praised Governor Ododo for building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, in prioritising education.
Jones noted that Governor Ododo’s approval of bursary and scholarships will have a profound impact on the lives of Kogi students, transforming their educational journey and empowering them for a brighter future.
Raji Joseph Afolabi, Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, praised Governor Ododo’s initiative as a unique and groundbreaking move. He believes this gesture will significantly alleviate the financial burden on parents and have a profound impact on the lives of Kogi students.
He stressed that Governor Ododo has given a significant boost to education in Kogi State by approving 1.5 billion naira for the state’s bursary and scholarship board. This investment aims to transform the education sector and provide much-needed support to students.
The Chairman also added that the Governor has also increased the bursary allowance for undergraduate students from N10,000 to N30,000. Additionally, Law students from Kogi State will receive a 60% increase in their bursary, bringing it to N300,000.
He further explained that Governor Ododo has approved a significant scholarship fund for students in Kogi State. Specifically, 14 students from higher institutions across the state will each receive N1.7 million, totaling N23.8 million.
This generous investment in education demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to supporting the academic pursuits of Kogi State students.
