The Senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, Saliu Mustapha, at the weekend, hosted 200 beneficiaries of his university scholarship programme to a dinner in Ilorin.
The beneficiaries cut across the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University and Ahman Pategi University.
The event, themed “Securing the Future Today”, featured prominent personalities and community leaders from the district.
In his address, Senator Mustapha emphasized the importance of academic excellence, urging the beneficiaries to justify the investment made in them through commitment to their studies and contributing meaningfully to their communities.
“You are the future governors, senators, ministers, and professors of Kwara State. The path to these heights lies in your commitment to education and personal development. Work hard, avoid distractions, and make Kwara Central proud”, he said.
Mustapha, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, said he was not expecting any reward in return for the gesture facilitated through his constituency office.
According to him, “I don’t know any of them and none was chosen based on political, religious or ethnic affiliations. Their only criteria is to come from the constituency and once they merit the criteria for selection, they are in.
“Before my election, I was impressed with the impact of Prof. Abdulraheem Shuaib Oba on employment and educational empowerment of Kwarans which was my motivation for this”, he added.
He cautioned the students against engaging in social vices that could derail their academic progress.
Mustapha further announced plans to sustain and expand the scholarship programme, revealing that free WAEC, NECO, and JAMB forms would be distributed in 2025 to assist more students in accessing higher education.
At the event, the legislator assured the attendees that the scholarship initiative would be extended to more beneficiaries in the coming year.
“My commitment to education remains unwavering. We will not only sustain this programme but increase the number of beneficiaries next year to provide even more opportunities for the youth of Kwara Central,” he affirmed.
He called on the parents to actively support their children’s educational pursuits, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative effort to ensure the success of the scholarship programme.
The Talba of Ilorin and former Chairman, Federal Character Commission, Professor Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, who chaired the occasion, lauded Senator Mustapha’s foresight and dedication to human capital development.
AbdulRaheem, a one-time Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, underscored the transformative power of education in society and encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the rare opportunity.
“The only way to repay the Senator’s effort is by excelling in your studies and becoming scholars in your respective universities,” he said.
Chairperson of the Education Committee of the Saliu Mustapha Foundation, Professor Binta Sulyman, recalled the meticulous planning behind the scholarship initiative, acknowledging the Senator’s financial support, which ensured a smooth and transparent process.
She said, “This scholarship programme is not just about funding education; it’s about empowering the next generation to become self-reliant and impactful members of society. It started with the distribution of WAEC, NECO and JAMB forms to the beneficiaries and moved to their sponsorship to the University level”.
In his lecture, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, who spoke through Mr Nasir Abdulkadir, hailed Senator Mustapha for prioritizing human capital development, noting that the legislator had trained thousands of Kwara Central indigenes in various vocations, equipping them with the skills and resources needed to thrive.
“Senator Mustapha’s commitment to education and skill acquisition reflects his dedication to alleviating poverty and transforming lives,” he noted.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellors of the beneficiary universities, the VC of Ahman Patigi University, Prof Kazeem Gbolagade, expressed pride in the Senator’s gesture.
He described it as a rare and commendable initiative, noting the uniqueness of a serving legislator awarding full scholarships to 200 students.
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