By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called for the reactivation of the education scholarship system in th...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called for the reactivation of the education scholarship system in the country.
Governor Umaru Bago made the call in Abuja during the launch of the Education Scholarship for Tertiary Institutions for students of Nigerian Army personnel, organized by the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
The Governor, who recalled how he benefited from government scholarships from basic to tertiary education, said that reactivating the scholarship would give hope to younger generations. While appreciating the wife of the former COAS, Mrs. Fati Attahiru, for establishing such a foundation and the Army for collaborating with it, he said it is an opportunity for people to fulfill their dreams.
He encouraged the benefiting students to make judicious use of the opportunity and to continue dreaming big in life. The Governor then announced that the Bago Foundation, his personal foundation, would increase the number of beneficiaries from 50 to 100 in support.
Also speaking, Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, said the Nigerian Governors Forum appreciates Mrs. Fati Attahiru's passion for education and general development for a better society. He pledged the forum's support for the foundation and called on the Nigerian Army to do more in empowering their wives to be self-reliant.
Earlier, the COAS, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, commended Mrs. Fati Attahiru, observing that the creation of the Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation has turned tragedy into beauty and a sudden end into a new beginning. He said collaborating with the foundation is a viable option that would complement the scholarship and welfare schemes of the Nigerian Army.
The COAS disclosed that 50 beneficiaries have been carefully selected for the inaugural edition of the scholarship and promised to continue partnering with the foundation in identifying and screening beneficiaries as a mark of honor to the late Lt. Gen. Attahiru. While recounting the significant policies with profound impact, especially in counterinsurgency operations in Northeastern Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja said the late Lt. Gen. Attahiru would always be remembered for his courage, determination, bravery, and commitment to national unity.
The wife of the late former COAS and founder of the Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation, Mrs. Fati Attahiru, said the establishment of the foundation was the best way to immortalize her spouse, considering his love for education. She said the foundation would provide not only scholarships for the students but also mentorship to make them beneficial to themselves and the larger society.
The founder of the foundation used the opportunity to address the benefiting students, using the lifestyle and history of her late husband as an example, encouraging them to always dream big, embrace challenges, and make the right choices in life.
In his remarks, the Secretary General of the Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation, Alh. Usman Shehu Bawa, said the foundation, which started two years after the General's demise, aims to continue his noble work for nation-building. He explained that the scholarship scheme is designed to extend a helping hand to deserving students, foster their education, empower bright minds, and enable them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
In their separate goodwill messages, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Corps Commander of Education for the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Bello Tsoho, National President of the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Maria Abiodun Lagbaja, and past President of the Defence & Police Officers' Wives Association (DEPOWA), Barr. Victoria Irabor, all commended Mrs. Fati Attahiru for her foresight in establishing the foundation and assured her of their unflinching support.
Highlights of the event included the symbolic presentation of a cheque and special prayers for the late COAS Attahiru and other personnel who died in active service. The 50 beneficiaries were the best students selected from Command Secondary Schools across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
No comments