Get Guardian on GoogleDeputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has vowed to sustain investment on scholarship programmes until every child in Kano North Senatorial District has access to quality and further high education.
Besides, Barau reminded that his commitment to educational growth of his constituent is being driven by the need to develop human capital and equip young generation with the knowledge and skills required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The ranking Senator spoke Monday during official presentation of admission letter to 80 beneficiaries of first batch of his domestic scholarship programme in Kano.
Barau who asserted that though he had extended educational opportunities beyond his Senatorial district, he disclosed the domestic scholarship offer focuse on specialised areas of knowledge.
The Federal lawmaker insisted that until the North prioritize investments on higher education, the pace of building human capital development in the region may remained at slow.
He emphasized that human capital development remained the foundation of economic growth, citing India as an example of a country whose development drive was significantly powered by investment in human resources.
Highlighting efforts to expand access to tertiary education infrastructure in Kano North, the Deputy Senate President cited establishment the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo, in his community, for which he expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu.
He pledged to continue facilitating support for the university to ensure it provides quality academic programmes and produces graduates capable of meeting contemporary development needs.
Barau further recalled efforts that led to the conversion of the Federal College of Education into a Federal University of Education, describing it as part of his broader commitment to expanding access to higher education.
He said another priority was the proposed conversion of the Federal College of Education (Technical) into a university of education and the upgrading of the College of Agriculture, Danbatta, into a Federal University of Agriculture.
According to him, efforts to secure approval for the proposed Federal University of Agriculture had reached an advanced stage before political differences temporarily slowed the process.
He, however, expressed optimism that the approval would soon be secured following the political realignment that brought him and other stakeholders back into the same party.
The senator also listed the ongoing construction of an Immigration Training School and the establishment of a Nigeria Customs training institution in Bichi among initiatives aimed at strengthening educational and institutional development in the district.
He said his scholarship programme was open to students of Kano North origin studying in tertiary institutions across the country, adding that implementation had commenced with students of Sa’adatu Rimi University, Kabo and Wudil institutions.
Barau advised the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously, become self-reliant and develop entrepreneurial skills rather than depending solely on government employment.
The 85 beneficiaries will study in fields of Mathematic, Applied Physics, Civil Engineering, Cyber Security, Natural Resource Management and Climate Change, Environmental Management and Geophysics.
Other fields of study are Chemistry, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Bio-resource Engineering, Solar Energy Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science[ and Health Education.
On his part, Dean, School of Postgraduates Studies of Bayero Universit, Kano, Professor Tijjani Hassan Darma, expressed appreciation with the human development activities sponsored by the Deputy Senate President.
“The greatest thing that parents can offer their children is education. We really appreciate the Senator for supporting these candidates to study.
“We call on the beneficiaries to appreciate the effort of the Senator and live up to expectation” he stated.
