Honourable Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, has awarded scholarships to over 300 Katsina State indigenes studying medicine and other health-related courses in universities across Nigeria, with plans to extend the scheme to other disciplines in the next academic session to reach more beneficiaries.
A statement signed by Lamara Garba, mniprDirector of Public Affairs Bayero University, Kano said the scholarship initiative was inspired by the plight of a young girl who lost her father and faced financial difficulties that threatened her education.
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Moved by her circumstances, Masari extended the intervention to other students from Katsina State to support their academic pursuits and ease the financial burden on their families.
At the scholarship presentation held today at Mahmud Tukur Theatre, Old Campus, Bayero University, Kano, selected beneficiaries received ₦500,000 each, while all students present at the hall were given ₦100,000 each.
Speaking at the occasion, Masari said the gesture was motivated by his desire to assist the needy and support individuals facing difficult circumstances.
Drawing inspiration from the Holy Qur’an, he emphasised the importance of helping others and urged the beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies, become productive members of society and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He disclosed that the scholarship scheme would be expanded in the next academic session to cover other courses, thereby extending educational support to more students from Katsina State across diverse fields of human endeavour.
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The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Muttaqa Rabe Darma, commended Masari for his philanthropic activities, describing him as a God-given individual to the people of Katsina State and Nigeria.
He noted that the scholarship would help disadvantaged students overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational ambitions, while encouraging other well-meaning individuals to support initiatives that promote education and human development.
The Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni, also praised Masari for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would ease the financial burden on students and support their academic pursuits.
Professor Tsauni emphasised the importance of partnerships between universities, philanthropists and other stakeholders in ensuring that financial difficulties do not prevent capable students from completing their education, particularly in critical fields such as medicine and other health-related disciplines.
He noted that support from individuals and organisations could complement institutional and government efforts to expand access to higher education, strengthen human capital development and prepare young people for meaningful contributions to society.
Some of the beneficiaries could not hold back tears of joy and excitement as they spoke to our reporter. They expressed delight and profound appreciation for the gesture, describing it as a significant relief that would help them concentrate on their studies.
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They also prayed for Masari and expressed hope that they, too, would one day be in a position to support others in need.
The scholarship initiative is expected to provide relief to beneficiaries and their families while contributing to human capital development and the training of skilled professionals for Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
