Jigawa State government has concluded arrangements to relocate its 194 students in Sudan to Cyprus and India to continue their medical studies.
Speaking to the students and their parents at the Government House, Dutse, Governor Umar Namadi said, since the outbreak of the civil war in Sudan Republic, the state government has been following the situation in that country.
He said his administration in collaboration with the federal government worked tirelessly for the safe evacuation of the state-sponsored medical students, and all of them were brought back to Nigeria safely and in good condition.
“However, since they returned home, the government has been working to secure another admission for the students in a competent and standard university to continue their studies to achieve our goal of getting enough manpower to manage our health facilities.
“Today, the state Ministry of Higher Education has secured admission for 184 students in Cyprus university and 10 at Indian university, and all necessary arrangements have been completed for their flight to these countries on February 5, 2024,” Namadi stated.
At the meeting, the state commissioner for higher education, Dr Isa Yusuf Chamo said the state government has spent N2.6 billion for admission, transport, registration and other required logistics for the 194 students.
He explained that some of the students will spend two years while some three years to complete their studies, and assured that the government will continue to take care of them according to the scholarship programme.
“If you can recall all of those students were graduate of public schools chosen based on merit to ensure equal opportunity to all children in the state,” he added.
“Since the inception of the present state government under the leadership of Governor Namadi over N4.6 billion has been spent on various students’ scholarships, including SSCE registration.
“The state government has also reviewed the annual students’ scholarship to cover at list 50 percent of their registration fee of any public university and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria,” Isa said.
The commissioner reiterated the commitment of the state government to ensure access to quality education for all children in the state irrespective of their parents social and economic status or their geographical location.
The students and their parents who were visibly excited with the development, applauded Governor Namadi and his cabinet for their determination to make Jigawa State great and promised to give all necessary support to the state government.
