 |
| Photo: Governor Kashim Shettima (third right) tapping Israel Galadima Zakari (from Biu local government area in Borno State) who came first in the 2018 JAMB exams with 364 marks. First right is Jummai, Israelโs mother while on Governor Shettimaโs immediate right is Bornoโs Commissioner for Higher Education, Usman Jaha and another official when the Governor presented a award letter for five years scholarship with payment upfront to cover a Degree at Covenant University where Israel is already admittedโฆ at the Government House in Maiduguri on Tuesday. |
Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has ordered for the full payment of tuition fees for Israel Galadima for his five years university education at Covenant University in Ogun State.
Israel Galadima Zakari from Biu in Borno State, emerged โoverall best in Nigeria after scoring 364 in the 2018 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.
Gov. Shettima who disclosed this today at a meeting with the Borno ambassador at the Government House in Maiduguri in company of his mother, Jummai, said he was the payment of the scholarship with be paid upfront because he wouldnโt want to family to be subjected to any government bureaucracy after he has left office next year.
The Governor at the event ordered the Stateโs Commissioner for Higher Education, Usman Jaha to raise a cheque of N5m that will cover upfront payment of tuition, accommodation, books and maintenance at Covenant University in Ogun State where the student has already gained admission for Degree in electronics engineering.
His words: โIsrael, as his mother has told us, was raised as an orphan. The mother lost her husband who was a Major in the Nigerian Army about 14 years ago and she single handedly raised three children. Israel is the second of her children.
โShe works in Lagos as a Banker, we donโt have to make her travel all the way to Maiduguri again to pursue any payment. She has done her part by raising a child with excellence and that child has made Borno State very proud.
โItโs our turn to support him. I will suggest that the mother pays all the fees upfront to avoid any tuition increase in future. I am particular about Israel because he was raised as an orphanโ Shettima said.
Israelโs mother, Jummai, who was overwhelmed by tears of joy praised the commitment of Governor Shettima for the honor done to the family, describing the gesture as โbeyond expectationโ.
โYour Excellency, I have been taking care of the three children since I lost my husband. I work in the bank in Lagos. Israel has a sister in the University.
โWith your kindness that is beyond our expectation, you have lifted a big burden on me. โHonestly, when I received your invitation to come to Maiduguri with Israel, I didnโt expect something as huge as what you have just done.
โMay God bless you and I pray that all Borno children surpass what Israel has achieved. Northerners are intelligent, they only need support and Your Excellency we all know what you are doing in Borno. The changes you are making are visible. I am very sure that with what you are doing, the sky will be the limit of Borno children. God will forever bless you, sirโ, Jummai said.
