A youth-focused group, GREATER TOMORROW, has commended the senator representing Zamfara West in the National Assembly, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, for establishing a scholarship programme aimed at supporting less privileged, orphaned and vulnerable indigenes of the state.
The group described the initiative as a people-centred intervention that is helping to expand access to education for vulnerable youths across Zamfara State.
The privately funded scholarship programme supports about 2,055 indigent, orphaned and vulnerable students drawn from the 14 local government areas of the state. It commits about N216 million towards tuition and registration fees across various tertiary institutions.
In addition to covering tuition and registration costs, each beneficiary receives a monthly stipend of N15,000 to assist with transportation and other incidental expenses.
In a statement, the Director of Public Engagement of GREATER TOMORROW, Victor Dogun, praised Yari for what he described as a demonstration of people-oriented leadership.
Dogun urged other politicians and wealthy individuals to emulate the senator by investing in initiatives that improve the lives and future prospects of vulnerable members of society.
“We, the teeming members of GREATER TOMORROW, are pleased to lend our voices in commending His Excellency, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, for his scholarship programme for orphaned and vulnerable indigenes of Zamfara State,” the statement said.
“We understand that the scheme is taking care of about 2,055 indigent students spread across multiple tertiary institutions in the country. The objective is to ensure that these vulnerable citizens are not denied access to education on account of their unenviable circumstances.
“We also understand that the scheme provides an additional N15,000 monthly stipend for incidentals. The aim is to ensure that the beneficiaries are adequately taken care of.
“We commend these bold initiatives and call on other politicians and wealthy individuals to emulate the good works of Senator Yari.
“We are delighted that the distinguished senator understands the value of education in a country where even governments at various levels are toying with it. We need not overemphasise the fact that education is the bedrock of any society that aspires to remain in tune with the modern world.
“To be educated is to be equipped for the challenges of life. This is what Senator Yari is doing. He is equipping thousands of Zamfara indigenes for tomorrow.
“He is doing this in recognition of the fact that a society that does not prepare its young population today has already lost the future. We at GREATER TOMORROW understand this fact.
“In fact, what Senator Yari is doing is in tandem with our philosophy and objective. We are therefore excited to note that there are well-to-do individuals who, out of patriotism and compassion, are identifying with this noble objective.”
The group also called on governments at all levels to prioritise education, stressing that governance must ultimately be directed towards improving the welfare and future prospects of the people.
“We particularly call on our governments at all levels to make education a priority. Governance is supposed to be for the public good. Those who are entrusted with the people’s mandate should aim at meeting this cardinal objective. Without it, governance loses its value,” the group said.
