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 overall 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 wouldn’t want to family to be subjected to any government bureaucracy after he has left office next year.
The Governor at the event ordered the State’s 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: “Israel, 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.
“She works in Lagos as a Banker, we don’t 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.
“It’s 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 orphan” Shettima said.
Israel’s 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 “beyond expectation”.
“Your 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.
“With your kindness that is beyond our expectation, you have lifted a big burden on me. Honestly, when I received your invitation to come to Maiduguri with Israel, I didn’t expect something as huge as what you have just done.
“May 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, sir”, Jummai said.