Kebbi govt set to sponsor over 300 to study Medicine, Engineering, others abroad

The Kebbi State Government says it will sponsor over 300 students to India, Turkey and Cyprus to study Medicine, Health Sciences, Paramedics and Engineering.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Mukhtar Bunza, announced this at the swearing-in and inauguration of new executive members of the National Union of Kebbi State Students (NUKESS), held at the College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi, on Sunday.

Bunza, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Halima Dikko, said in recognition of the importance of education in societal development, the Gov. Bagudu led-administration had over the years placed priority on the education sector with considerable achievement recorded.

He said: “This administration of Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu is poised to sponsoring more than 300 students to India, Turkey and Cyprus for studies in Medicine, Health Sciences, Para-Medicals and Engineering.

“This has been made possible following a bilateral agreement between the Kebbi State Government and some foreign institutions.

“This administration has vowed to sustain the sponsorship of students within and outside the country for educational pursuit in all fields.”

According to him, this is attested to by the objective of the governor towards ensuring that quality education is provided to students to enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

The commissioner affirmed that all institutions of learning in the state received special attention towards attaining high standards and recognition.

He observed that among the remarkable achievements recorded by this administration were the upgrading of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Health Technology to the collegiate system.

To consolidate and legalise the above initiative, he said, the government had signed into law an edict that allowed the colleges to offer Higher National Diplomat (HND) certificates.

Similarly, the commissioner said the Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, had been empowered to start degree programmes in addition to its statutory NCE programmes.

Bunza further announced that the University of Science and Technology, Aliero, had received approval from the NUC to mount Bachelors of Science Degree in nursing and midwifery services.

He expressed optimism that the institution would admit students for the 2021/2022 session after final professional approvals from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and Nursing Council of Nigeria were granted.

The Special Guest of Honour and Gov. Atiku Bagudu rejoiced with the new NUKESS executive members and advised them on maintaining unity and brotherliness among all students with an emphasis on outgoing and incoming officials.

He renewed the readiness of his government to encourage students of the state to attain their pinnacle in education through scholarship, training and retraining of students and teachers, apart from the provision of a conducive learning environment.

He admonished the students to study very hard to justify the government’s huge investment in the education sector and to make their respective families and the state proud.

Bagudu urged female students to partake actively in students’ affairs activities to ensure academic excellence and fair representation.

In his inaugural speech, the new President, NUKESS, Malam Kabiru Warah, commended Bagudu for his fatherly care to students as well as the provision of necessary moral and material support to the development of education in the state. (NAN)