Zulum releases N250m to sponsor 19 orphans to study medicine

Ahmed Mari Maiduguri

The Borno state Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has approved the release of N250m 19 mostly orphans and vulnerable indigenes of the State.to study medicine in Egypt.

The students who were selected across the 27 local government areas are expected to depart for Suez City in Egypt, to study and obtain Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery (MBBS) degrees on full government scholarship, for a duration of five years.

Addressing the student s at the Government Houses, Maiduguri yesterday, Governor Babagana Zulum said the scholarship to Suez University was one of the outcomes hus visit to some Egyptian Universities in November, 2020.

Governor Zulum had, during that trip, promised to approve scholarship for youths from the most deprived family backgrounds in Borno State to study in Egypt, other countries and across Nigeria.

The government , later in February 2022, made a follow up visit to the Egyptian embassy in Abuja for a meeting with Ambassador Ihab Awad, to discuss the educational partnership.

The 19 youths which consists 12 young men and seven young women.were led to the Government House by Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallambe, whose ministry supervises Borno State Scholarship Board.

Whole congratulating the youths, Governor Zulum urged them to focus on their studies and be good ambassadors of Borno and Nigeria, and announced the release of 500 U.S Dollars as special parting gifts to each of the 19 students.

He also said each of them will be receiving 200 U.S Dollars every month in addition to the provision of accommodation and some logistics.

Speaking earlier, the Borno state Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallambe explained that the beneficiaries will be departing for Egypt on February 11, 2023.

Also Speaking, the Executive Secretary,, Borno State Scholarship Board, Malam Baba Isa, confirmed that all payments and necessary documentation had been concluded.