Kaduna students want scholarship scheme fast tracked

From Femi OyelolaKaduna

The National Association of Kaduna State Student (NAKASS) has called on the Kaduna State Government to fast track the implementation of the state’s new scholarship scheme designed to assist students fulfill their academic dreams.
The president of the association, YahayaAbdullahi made the call at a news conference in Kaduna, while reacting to a threat by a group of students to shut down the state over nonpayment of student bursary since 2015.
A coalition of students in Kaduna State had on April 3, given Governor Nasir El-Rufai 14-day ultimatum to begin a scholarship scheme.
The students, under the aegis of Coalition of Youth and Students in Kaduna State, threatened to launch mass protest to cripple government activities if the government failed to meet their demands.
But Abdullahi, who disassociated NAKASS from the group, noted that the state government has introduced new scholarship scheme with emphasis on merit and needs-based, enough to cater for students needs.
The president, who identified some of the scholarship as disability scholarship; athletic scholarship; student loan scheme and research grant, however, said that the scheme was yet to take off.
According to him, the bill for the new scheme, designed to incorporate all categories of students is before the State House of Assembly for passage.
He expressed optimism that the scholarship would be implemented given the state government thrive to promote excellence in the state education sector.
He urged the House of Assembly to fast tract the passage of the bill to enable the state respond adequately to the financial challenge of students.
“I am calling on all students to be patient and resist any call to indulge in misconduct, moral decadence, violence or threat to the state government in resolving the scholarship issue.
“I want to assure you that NAKASS is doing its best by following the right channels in ensuring that the lingering scholarship issue is address, “he said.