The Kogi State Government says it has opened its portal for immediate registration of students of the state origin in higher institutions across the country for payment of the 2024 busary award.
The state Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, disclosed this during a press conference in Lokoja on Monday.
The Commissioner said the decision to commence registration of students for the busary awards is in line with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s promise to make education a sustainable tool for development.
He said over 5, 700 students had, within two days, applied to be beneficiaries, urging other students to take advantage of the gesture.
The Commissioner encouraged every student of the State in tertiary institutions across the country to log into the portal to enable them benefit from the scholarship, assuring that the process is seamless and transparent.
Jones explained that the State Government was committed to planning and adequately funding education in the State, using the State strategic plan with adequate budgetary provision.
While pointing out that the State under former Gov. Yahaya Bello surpassed the UNESCO requirement for funding education, he disclosed that the State under Gov. Ododo was committed to sustaining and improving on the education legacy it inherited from the past administration.
“The establishment of two State Universities by the last administration under former Gov. Bello, was made with the intention to satisfy students from the state seeking admission to study their courses of Choice.
“The legacies of former Gov. Yahaya Bello will be sustained in the education sector.
“I urge students from the state to visit the existing portal for Bursary application to be able to access it from any part of the country,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Kogi State Scholarship Board, Mr. Raji Afolabi, assured of a very transparent process, saying the registration process would close by the end of April.
He explained that the Board would, after the registration, develop a budget for the categories of persons that would benefit from the scholarship.
Afolabi urged prospective beneficiaries to register by visiting https://scholarshipboard.kogistate.gov.ng
The Board Chairman called on the National leadership of NAKOSS to help in mobilizing their members towards taking advantage of the Ododo Student Support 2024.
In his remarks, Oladele Nihi, Special Adviser on Students and Youths Affairs, expressed his appreciation to Gov. Ododo for matching words with action.
He added that the fulfillment of the governor’s promise underscored the present administration’s love for Youths and Students.
Oladele lauded Ododo for placing priority and premium on welfare of Youths and Student since his assumption of office.
“Gov. Ododo does not want ginance to impede the activities of the Scholarship Board.
“He has by his action to match words with action promised to ensure that all the budgetary provision needed for the Board to carry out its function is released,” he said.
On his part, NAKOSS National President, Jeremiah Elukpo, described the Scholarship scheme for Kogi State Students in tertiary institutions across the country as unprecedented.
“Let me use this medium to appreciate Gov. Ododo for the steadfast initiative.
“We are pleased with the seamless process for the pre-qualification stage,” he said. ( vitalnewsngr.com)
