Scholarship: Fatima Bello aids 540 students with N20,000 each across Gombe South
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
No fewer than 540 students on Wednesday, benefitted from the annual scholarship of Hon. Fatima Bello.
Bello served as a legislator representing Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency, in the house of representatives, where she was deputy minority whip.
Unveiling the project through Fatima Binta Bello Trust Fund Foundation on Education & Girl Child Upliftment, where 540 students of Gombe South comprising; Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo, and Shongom were adopted into the yearly scheme.
She said the project was endowed in appreciation to God and love for humanity, adding that she has unwavering desire to cushion the financial difficulty of less privileged students in TangaleWaja.
“Even before I joined politics I had built and handed over 2 blocks of classrooms to Government day secondary school Filiya, before I joined politics in 2005. I kept dreaming about how to contribute more to the development of education. I don’t want parents to go out to sell bags of corn to pay for their ward’s school fees, I wanted to be of help to such families,” she said.
Bello stressed that the selection of the beneficiaries was carefully done to reflect the current realities.
While extending her appreciation to former Governor of Gombe state, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo for his advise, she added that Governor Nyesom Wike, was instrumental to the remarkable take off of her long time passion of getting Gombe youths educated.
Bello added, “I went to Rivers state for an official work for (PDP), I didn’t ask to be helped but he said honourable I’m taking the burden away from you of helping your people.
“My next thought was to come and launch this programme today. Going forward is going to be my sole responsibility but for today I dedicate whatever I have done today to Governor Nyesom Wike, without missing words. The people of Gombe south are indebted to him.”
Also speakingNational President, Tangale Waja Students Association, Geoffrey Jonah promised on behalf of other beneficiaries to put the scholarship to good use, adding that it with alleviate the sufferings of students.
He said, “Many students I know in my capacity as student leader, have been calling for assistances that I can’t also meet them but with this endowment things will be smoother.”
On his part, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, Hadu Naphtali lauded the efforts of Fatima Bello, urging students to channel their scholarship fund to useful ventures.
Naphtali also called politicians both serving and out of service to emulate the leadership strides of the donor, towards the resuscitation of education Gombe state.
