Foundation pays JAMB fees for 1,500 candidates, gives 100 scholarship

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Shehu ABG Foundation has bankrolled registration fees of University Matriculation Examinations for 1,500 prospective candidates in Kaduna State.

The Foundation said it’s an effort to ensure accessibility of higher education to children from less privileged homes,

Beneficiaries of the kind gestures spread across all 23 Local Government areas of Kaduna State, carefully chosen to reflect the religious, ethnic, and party diversities of the people and to equally ensure only the most vulnerable children who stood no chance of paying the fees for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)  examinations were selected, according to founder and CEO of the foundation Hon. Shehu Bawa ABG.

The Former House of Reps Member, represented by Ibrahim Wusono, disclosed granting scholarships to 100 students in health-related fields also from 23 Local Governments in the state to enable them to have seamless academic programs without dropping out of school due to lack of sponsorship.

The politician lamented the rising cost of education, describing the development as pathetic and beyond the reach of the majority of the people.

He said that urgent, far-reaching, and sustained efforts needed to be taken by well-meaning individuals and cooperating organizations to stem the downward tide for a better future for the state-teeming youth population.

“This initiative reflects the foundation’s commitment to supporting education and healthcare in the state, particularly for the less privileged whose parents struggle against all odds to send children to school for a better future.

“We intend to sustain this gesture to absorb as many as possible of our dear youth on whose shoulders lie the prospect of this state and the country in general. The initiative is apt, considering the barrage of complaints from parents who could not afford to foot school expenses of their children and wards,” he added.

While presenting forms to secretaries from 23 local governments saddled with the responsibilities of selecting and vetting beneficiaries, Wusono charged the committee members to be transparent and accountable to ensure only deserving candidates from less privileged backgrounds get available slots.