Rep. Abdullahi Aliyu-Ahmed (APC-Katsina) has offered scholarships to 2,199 indigent Katsina students studying in tertiary institutions across the country.

The lawmaker, who represents the Musawa and Matazu Federal Constituency, said the scholarships were awarded through his education committee, under the chairmanship of the former deputy governor of the state, Tukur Ahmed-Jikamshi.

The beneficiaries were selected from across the political wards of Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas following a rigorous screening process.

Mr Ahmed-Jikamshi said during the exercise on Saturday in Musawa that the beneficiaries were studying different courses at universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics within and outside the state.

“Each of the 1,029 students from universities was given a N30,000 scholarship, while 1,170 students pursuing a National Education Certificate (NCE) and National Diploma (ND) in colleges of education and polytechnics got N20,000 each.

“A total of N54.2 million scholarship grants was given to the 2,199 students during the second phase of the lawmaker’s support.

“This underscores his unwavering commitment to building the future of youths, whom he believes are the leaders of tomorrow with great potential,” he stressed.

Speaking during the event, Mr Aliyu-Ahmed, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Interior, said the gesture was aimed at supporting students in pursuing their education without regard to political affiliations.

He described education as an asset to a person and an important ingredient for nation-building, which is why he included it among his top priorities.

Mr Aliyu-Ahmed further said insecurity has a link with unemployment; hence, our decision to empower youth and support their education pursuit,” the lawmaker said.

“We are focusing our political ideology and programmes on building and empowering the youths to secure their future and the future of the society,” he said.

In his remarks, the chairman of Musawa Local Government Area, Aliyu Gingin, who commended the lawmaker, described the gesture as a development drive aimed at bringing dividends of democracy closer to the constituents.

(NAN)