Kebbi State government has released over N1billion for the registration fees of 27,039 indigent students of the state studying in 36 tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Abdulmumini Abdullahi.
He said N895 million is for registration fees and N120 million for the change of institutions for the state- sponsored MBBS training students from Sudan to Egypt.
Abdullahi indicated that the amount covered 2021/2022 session while another N907 million was approved in 2022 for registration of the 2019/2020 students.
The permanent secretary said in September last year, the state government released $349,150 to cover second year tuition, accommodation, feeding and modest pocket allowance for 116 students of the state studying in three universities in India and another sum of N4.605 million to cater for the logistics and the transportation of students transferred from Global University in India.
He advised the benefitting students to reciprocate the government’s gesture by taking their studies seriously and pass out with excellent grades.
“They can get contract appointments in public establishments and that will enhance their lives and their take home allowance and salaries. We are going to look at that aspect and explore it,” Jibril said.
He commended the federal government for taking certain steps to make life better for the veterans.
Jibril said, “For example, our entitlements in terms of pensions are being paid when due. We are not owed any money; apart from recently when some people came to the street and asked for minimum wage adjustment for 24 months. This has been taken care of in the budget. Hence, the demonstration was out of place because the issue has been settled and captured in the 2023 budget and Mr. President has signed the budget. We are just waiting for the budget to be implemented and they will be paid.”
He said the provision for annual budgetary allocation or subvention from the government ameliorates the financial challenges facing the legion.
Jibril confirmed the planned launch of the Nigerian Legion website this week and solicited for funds from the government and other stakeholders to establish data centres across the 36 state offices and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The data centres once operational will readily provide the government with up-to-date figures of able-bodied men that can be called at short notice for combat operations.
