The speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, on Friday disbursed N60 million as scholarships to 1,200 students from Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency studying in various tertiary institutions across the country.

Mr Jatau, who represents Kokona West Constituency at the assembly, performed the disbursement in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area.

The initiative is under the “Rt. Hon. Dr Danladi Jatau Scholarship Students Fund 2026 Project”.

The speaker said the scholarship was aimed at easing the financial burden of school fees on parents and guardians.

“I have earmarked N60 million to be disbursed to 1,200 students of Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency studying in tertiary institutions across the country.

“Each student will receive N50,000 to support their education and reduce the burden on their parents and guardians,” he said.

Mr Jatau described education as a key driver of success, noting that the gesture was part of efforts to promote academic excellence and improve the standard of education in the state.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds and remain focused on their studies, while advising those who were not selected to be patient, assuring them of future opportunities.

The speaker said that the initiative was also designed to complement the efforts of Governor Abdullahi Sule in developing the education sector.

He commended the governor for his interventions in education and called on the people of the state to continue supporting the administration.

In addition, the speaker distributed exercise books to primary schools across the Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency.

In their remarks, Agbawu Mek-Agbawu, the chairman of Kokona Local Government Area, and his Karu Local Government Area counterpart, Abubakar Madaki, commended Mr Jatau for the initiative.

Also, John Mamman, commissioner for education, represented by Emmanuel Azaki, director of human resources in the ministry, described the gesture as laudable.

Others who spoke, including the APC Chairman in Kokona LGA, Terry Bado, and the president of the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA), Danladi Ek’po, described the initiative as timely and impactful.

They urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds effectively and called on other public office holders to emulate the speaker’s initiative.

Earlier, Sunday Adeoshun, legal director of the Intellect Scholarship Foundation, which handled the screening and disbursement process, commended Jatau for the programme.

He advised the students to take their studies seriously in order to excel academically.

Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, Husseina Isah and Haruna Mohammed expressed gratitude to the speaker for the support and pledged to make good use of the opportunity.

(NAN)