Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State says that the State Government has so far invested N6.1 billion in scholarship awards for 174,451 students in tertiary institutions, including those studying abroad, as part of its strategic commitment to human capital development.
Governor Radda made this known during the 17th convocation ceremony of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, where Honorary Doctorate Degrees were conferred on the former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, and Eze Abdulfatah Chimaeze Emmanuel III, the Chief Imam of Owerri Central Mosque.
He said, “The huge investment in scholarships, teacher recruitment, school infrastructure and skills development is aimed at preparing our youths academically, morally and economically to compete favourably in the modern world.
“Our objective is to ensure that our children are properly grounded from primary and secondary school, so that when they get to higher institutions, they are mentally, academically and morally ready to face global challenges.”
Governor Radda revealed that the State Government had recruited 7,326 teachers, trained over 20,000 others, renovated and constructed classrooms, established modern schools, and set up skills centres, as well as the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), to equip youths and women with employable and entrepreneurial skills.
“At every stage, our focus is to equip our youths not only with certificates, but with knowledge, skills and character that will make them useful to themselves and society,” he added.
The governor announced donation of three vehicles to the one overall best graduating student and two outstanding Qur’an memorisers who emerged winners in the Musabaqatul Qur’an (Gwani and Gwana categories) during the convocation ceremony.
“This is in recognition of their dedication and excellence, and to motivate other youths to pursue both religious and Western education with seriousness,” he stated.
He further said, Al-Qalam University has continued to complement government efforts in providing quality education and in nurturing responsible, morally upright citizens.
Governor Radda also congratulated the honorary awardees, describing Aminu Bello Masari as a seasoned administrator, statesman and mentor, and Eze Abdulfatah Chimaeze Emmanuel III, as a respected religious leader renowned for promoting peace, unity and moral development.
Earlier, Nasiru Musa Yauri, Professor and Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, said the institution has continued to record remarkable progress in teaching, research and the integration of religious and modern studies.
He disclosed that the winners of the Musabaqatul Qur’an (Gwani and Gwana categories) were each awarded a cash prize of One Million Naira in addition to other honours.
Also speaking, Aminu Bello Masari, former House of Representatives’ Speaker, urged universities to embrace technology and innovation, stressing that education must go beyond the acquisition of certificates to the development of practical and problem-solving skills.
“Technology is key to development in agriculture, security, healthcare and service delivery. Our youths must become creators of solutions, not just users of tools,” he said, adding that strong moral and religious values must also be upheld.
