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Tag: Scholarships

  • MILEAGE! Senator Barau offers scholarships to 1,000 in Kano Central, Kano South; facilitates 7 varsity study centres

    MILEAGE! Senator Barau offers scholarships to 1,000 in Kano Central, Kano South; facilitates 7 varsity study centres

     

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has concluded arrangements to offer scholarships to 1,000 students to pursue degree programmes in ICT-related fields through the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF).

    The beneficiaries would be the pioneer students of the seven study centres of the Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, that would be established in Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts courtesy of the Deputy President of the Senate.

    The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, in a statement, said Senator Barau and the university’s management concluded arrangements to establish the study centres in the two senatorial districts at the weekend.

    The university was represented during the meeting by Prof. Abubakar Sadik Suleiman, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Science, who is also a board member of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies;
    and Dr. Jamilu Ajiya, the Acting Provost of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

    Last year, Senator Barau facilitated the establishment of four study centres in Gwarzo, Danbatta, Dawakin Tofa, and Gabasawa local government areas in Kano North Senatorial District. Under this arrangement, more than 1,000 youth are pursuing various degree programs.

    To expand university education across the 44 LGAs of Kano State, Senator Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, is establishing seven study centres in Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts through his foundation.

    The study centres will be located in the Madobi, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Rano, Gaya Dawakin Kudu and Minjibir local government areas.

    Like in Kano North, when established, the university’s degree and diploma programmes will be offered at the seven centres in Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts.

    To launch the centres, Senator Barau is offering scholarships to 1,000 students from Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts to pursue degree programmes in ICT-related fields.

    ” Education is the bedrock of the development of all nations. I will continue to work towards providing qualitative education to our people across the 44 LGAs,” Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, said.

  • Buhari offers automatic employment, scholarships, cash to 110-ex corps members

    Buhari offers automatic employment, scholarships, cash to 110-ex corps members

    President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday gave automatic employment to 110 ex-corps members in the Federal Civil Service as well as scholarships for the pursuit of post-graduate studies up to the doctoral level in any university in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the virtual 2018/2019 President’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) honours award ceremony, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, President Buhari, also announced cash rewards for the ex- corps members.

    He directed the relevant government agencies to ensure timely implementation of all the incentives for the award recipients.

    The President, however, used the opportunity to enjoin young people across the country to ensure their passions and energies are not exploited by charlatans and used to commit crimes against the country.

    The president’s NYSC honors award was instituted to reward excellence in service to corps members with outstanding performance during their service year. The total number of awardees since the scheme started in 1974 is now 1,374.

    Urging the honourees to sustain the patriotic zeal that earned them the award, the President said ‘‘it is noteworthy that the young men and women being honoured have excelled in the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, namely: Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-up/Passing-out, which formed the basis of assessment for the Honours Award.

    “On behalf of the Government and the good people of Nigeria, I heartily congratulate those honoured on standing out from their peers in order to merit the honour being bestowed upon them.

    “You have proved yourselves worthy ambassadors of your respective families and the National Youth Service Corps. I am very proud of you and confident that the Award shall spur you to greater service to the Nation and humanity,” he said.

    The President also used the occasion to commend the founding fathers of the 48-year-old scheme, notably General Yakubu Gowon, who joined the occasion virtually.

    President Buhari stressed that NYSC has remained a bastion of national unity and integration by exposing our youth to diverse cultures and traditions, thereby making them appreciate our similarities and diversities.

    “Through the Scheme, walls of ethnic stereotypes are pulled down, and bridges of unity built, especially with enduring friendships and relationships resulting from healthy interactions during the service year.

    “This has strengthened the mileage covered in our quest to be a nation with one common vision and destiny despite our plurality,’’ he said.

    On efforts to sanitise the mobilisation process of the Scheme, the President directed NYSC management to ensure that only those who meet the required criteria participate in the one-year national service.

    President Buhari praised Nigerian youths on National Service for frontally confronting and remaining at the forefront of the war against COVID-19 pandemic.

    The President noted that the inherent innovation and resilience of Nigerian youths, which members of the Service Corps demonstrated through the production of face masks, hand sanitizers, liquid soap, and several fabricated machines, contributed towards curtailing the spread of the pandemic.

    “The enormous contributions members of the Service Corps are making to the improvement of our education, health and social sectors as well as rural development remain a shining testament to the Scheme.

    “This has portrayed successive generations of Corps members as veritable agents of development,” he said.

    Commending the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and NYSC for the dogged implementation of the self-reliance programme of government for the youths, the President urged them to sustain the tempo of their activities in this direction.

    “It is critical that our youths benefit from the N75b Nigeria Youth Investment Fund.

    “They should also be encouraged to key into other youth empowerment programmes of Government such as Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative, Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria, Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme, and Young Farmers Scheme among others,” he said.

    Declaring that his administration has an abiding faith in the Nigerian youth, the finest part of which Corps members belong, the President said he had demonstrated this belief by signing the “Not too Young to Run” bill into law, so as to accommodate youth in the political landscape.

    “I wish to remind our youth, who have the greatest stake in the future of our country, Nigeria, and of course the generality of Nigerians to embrace our initiatives on value reorientation, as this is essential for the achievement of a country we shall all be proud to bequeath to future generations,” he said.

    President Buhari also urged Nigerian youth to avoid all economic and social vices that are contrary to the wellbeing and progress of the country, admonishing them to adopt a collective approach, premised on sound values to build a great nation.

    “As young men and women, I recognize the extreme peer pressure you experience; it is my plea to you to be wary of those who would like to exploit your youth, intelligence and positive energy by channeling you into wrong paths.

    “Avoiding such acts honours not just your families who have sacrificed to see you attain greater heights, but also brings pride to your fellow citizens,” he said.

    In his speech, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, described the ceremony and the Presidential gestures as prove that the current administration values the youth, adding that President Buhari is committed to encouraging youths who value excellence.

    “The government is showing very clearly to Nigerians that they value our younger generation. For this recognition coming forth two years combined together shows that this government under President Muhammadu Buhari is alive and is committed to recognizing and rewarding our youths who have excelled,” he said.

  • U.S. Universities Offer $7.5m in Scholarships to Nigerian Students

    U.S. Universities Offer $7.5m in Scholarships to Nigerian Students

    More than 303 Nigerian students from the 17 states of southern Nigeria have received no less than $7.5 million in full or partial scholarships from 225 American universities and colleges to study in the United States for the 2019-2020 academic session.

    Acting United States Consul General Osman Tat disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday during the 2019 EducationUSA pre-departure orientation for students who have received offers of admission and scholarships to attend U.S. colleges and universities this fall.

    Noting that the U.S. remains a top destination for international students, Acting Consul General Tat explained that the list of acceptances for Nigerian students for the upcoming academic year has been quite impressive, cutting across many of the 50 U.S. states.

    “I congratulate each one of you on your tremendous success. This is a very important step in your life. I encourage you to make the most out of your time in the United States to acquire the requisite skills and knowledge needed to support Nigeria’s development,” Tat told the group of U.S.-bound students.

    The students have been accepted for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at top notch U.S. institutions ranging from Ivy League universities, liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to community colleges.

    They include Stanford University, The George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, Tufts University, Boston University, Emory University, and Howard University, among many others.

    The pre-departure orientation is intended to assist students to prepare for their move from Nigeria to attend a college or university in the United States. The event included interactive sessions on topics such as travel planning, adjusting to life in America, safety on campus, and F-1 visa rules for international students.

    Participants also had the opportunity to meet with students currently studying in the United States who offered tips on how to prepare for the U.S. academic, social, and cultural environment.

    Among the departing students are 13 EducationUSA Opportunity Fund grantees —10 undergraduate and 3 graduate students, with full scholarships — who received financial aid to cover the up-front cost of obtaining admission.

    Annually, through the Opportunity Fund Program, the U.S. Consulate’s EducationUSA Advising Centre assists talented low-income students who are good candidates for admission to U.S. colleges and universities, by funding their application process.

    According to the latest Open Doors Report, published annually by the Institute of International Education, Nigeria is the 13th highest sending country of international students to the U.S., with about 12, 693 Nigerians currently studying in the United States.

  • Buhari offers employment, scholarships to 168 ex-corps members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday presented awards to 168 ex-corps members at the combined 2015/2016/2017 President’s NYSC Honours Award held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, also announced automatic employment to the awardees in the Federal Civil Service and scholarships up to Doctorate level in any Nigerian universities.

    Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who created the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1973, was also in attendance.

    15 ex-corps members who suffered disability during their service year were also recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

    There was also the National Council for Women Affairs Award to three best female awardees.

    The President’s NYSC Honours Award was instituted in 1974 to encourage corps members to contribute to the overall national development by embarking on community development projects.

    Buhari said that it was the exceptional individuals in society who were the true builders of institutions and nations.

    According to him, the vision, innovation and hard work of one person is sufficient to make a difference in the life of a community or a nation.

    The president said that enduring individual success was a function of courage and resilience, adding that he was challenged by the remarkable courage of the Corp members who suffered various accidents while in service.

    “The fact that they have gone through these harrowing personal injuries and are still determined to engage the future with hope and confidence is proof that they will still experience the joys of great success and fulfillment.

    “To all of today’s honorees, let me make it clear that you are not just the future of this country, but also its present.

    “You must all see yourselves as the leaders that you are; but leadership comes with responsibilities and continuous sacrifice.

    “The successes you have achieved and are being rewarded for today, should inspire you to even greater feats, in your various spheres of influence.

    “I therefore charge you all to continue to be the light for others to follow, whilst also seeing yourselves as lifelong ambassadors of the NYSC.

    “In line with our policy of encouraging and rewarding excellence among our youth, I hereby announce the immediate employment into the Federal Civil Service of all the Award winners and beneficiaries of the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.

    “In addition, the Federal Government hereby offers each of you automatic scholarships up to Doctorate level in any Nigerian University of your choice,” he said.

    In his address, Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said that nothing motivated young people than rewards for their contributions no matter how small.

    He said that the Federal Government would continue to reward hard work and devotion to duty among Nigerian youths.

    On his part, the outgoing Director-General of NYSC Maj.-Gen Suleman Kazaure, said the award aimed at encouraging high ideals and patriotism through selfless and dedicated service to fatherland.

    Kazaure said the award was recognition of teamwork, honesty, loyalty, devotion to duty and creativity.

    “Though the young men and women being honoured today were the most outstanding in performance, I am proud to report that corps members deployed in 2015, 2016 and 2017 service years generally contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of our dear country.

    “Their performances in key sectors such as education, health, agriculture and infrastructure were applauded by all Nigerians.

    “In the areas of Community Development Service, successive batches of corps members have been adding value to communities throughout the federation with various projects.

    “These include construction and renovation of schools and hospitals as well as provision of potable water,” he said.

    One of the awardees, Nelson Nnamdi, in an interview, said he felt great and was giving God the glory.

    He said he learnt the act of service to humanity and to the nation during his service year.

    “When I was serving, I did the Virtually Impaired Electronic Working Guide; it is for the blind.

    “When I executed the project in the school of the blind in Izzi, Ebonyi State, the project went far; in fact the joy in the heart of those young blind students gives me joy.

    “My advice to servicing corps members; if you identify a special need in the place you are serving, you should try to make an impact and leave the rest to God; in the right time, God will reward you as he has rewarded me today,” he said.

  • 150 Nigerian students offered $2m to study in US

    150 Nigerian students offered $2m to study in US

    The United States Government has offered 150 Nigerian students within the Lagos Consulate District scholarships worth $2m to study in various universities in the US.

    Out of the students, seven, who applied through the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Programme, were granted fully-funded scholarships.

    Speaking on Tuesday at the 2017 Pre-Departure Orientation Programme for the students, the US Consul General, John Bray, said five of the seven students, who got full scholarships were travelling for their postgraduate studies, while the remaining two were going for their first degree programmes.

    Quoting the latest Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report, Bray said Nigeria had experienced a remarkable increase in the number of students pursuing higher education in the US.

    According to the report, about 10,674 Nigerians are studying at more than 730 colleges and universities in the US, making Nigeria the leading source of African students in the country.

    Bray urged the students to conduct themselves well in the US, asking them to be good ambassadors for Nigeria.

    “I urge you to be exceptional ambassadors for Nigeria and to take seriously your responsibilities to be good citizens and scholars, just as I wish you great success in your chosen academic fields and a fulfilling experience in the US,” he said.