Senator representing Kano South, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila has offered N153m scholarship to 100 indigent constituents to study nursing and other health-related courses.
Reports said that the beneficiaries which include 60 males and 40 females were selected from 171 wards across the 16 local governments of his senatorial district.
The students are to undergo their studies in five selected private institutions Aminu Dabo College of Nursing Science, Pyramid College of Nursing, Rawafiq International College, Dansharif College of Nursing, and Iqra’a College of Nursing.
According to the package the scholarship, N141m is meant for registration, accommodation, and other fees, while the balance of N12m is the 10,000 monthly stipend per student for a year.
Unveiling the program today during an occasion held in Kano, Senator Sumaila said the beneficiaries are the first batch of the program and that 2nd and 3rd batches of 100 students each would be sponsored.
Sumaila explained that the 2nd batch of the beneficiaries would be sponsored by January 2024 after which the 3rd batch would follow.
“I plan to produce 200 health personnel by the end of my tenure. I have paid for the registration fees and accommodation of the beneficiaries. In addition, each student will receive a 10,000 monthly stipend throughout the 36-month program.
“The gesture is part of my campaign promises. I had toured 140 out of the 171 wards of my constituency during my campaign and I have noticed a lack of manpower in virtually all our health centers. This is why I have come up with this program to make our health facilities functional.
“I have selected 6 people from each of the 16 local governments so that after graduation, they will come back and serve their respective communities. By the time the 3rd batch completes their studies, our health facilities will have adequate personnel to serve our people.
“I tried a similar program when I was a member of the House of Representatives and produced 100 health personnel, renovated several health centers, and conducted a series of health delivery outreach in several villages,” he recalled.
Senator Sumaila, however, warned the beneficiaries to desist from all forms of drug abuse and other immoralities during their studies, as according to him he would not condone such from any students under his sponsorship.
“I implore you to rededicate yourselves during your studies so that you will graduate with good results. I will not condone any form of laxity from your side. My team of experts will persistently monitor your activists while in school and any student found wanting in drug abuse and lagging in his/her studies would be delisted from my scholarship program.
“I cannot continue spending huge money on anybody that is not willing to study. Millions of others require such scholarships. I am, therefore, urging you to be good ambassadors of your parents, constituency, and state as a whole.
Also speaking, the Registrar, Aminu Dabo College of Nursing Science, Hajiya Halima Lawal Dambazau, commended Senator Sumaila for the gesture, assuring that the college would give adequate attention to the beneficiaries during their stay at the institution.
One of the beneficiaries, Aisha Abubakar expressed gratitude to Senator Sumaila for selecting them to benefit from the gesture, saying “The man has given us hope and a chance to fulfill my dream of becoming a nursing officer.
Another beneficiary, Jibril Wada promised to study hard and come out with good results, saying “After my graduation, I will come back to my community and serve them. I must pay back what my society has done to me.”
