The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has offered a scholarship to a 22-year-old physically challenged female student, Maryam Umar, who recently got admission into the Gombe State University (GSU).
Maryam, who was born armless, secured admission into the university but couldn’t be registered in the institution because her father couldn’t afford the fees.
Presenting the award letter to Maryam, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Professor Lawan Abubakar, said the union decided to offer her the scholarship as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
He explained that they resolved to sponsor Maryam’s education following a report of her case in one of the national dailies, where she appealed to the public to assist her with registration fees.
Beneficiaries of student loan in other countries committing suicide – ASUU
Police rescue 9 girls used as sex slaves in Anambra
He said the scholarship covered daily transport allowance, academic allowance per semester, a laptop, an audio recorder for lectures and a special chair.
He noted that, “The ASUU was touched by the girls’ courage and determination to continue with her education up to university level despite her condition and poor economic status of her parents.”
He added that the union would continue paying the scholarship and other assistance to Maryam, up to her graduation from the university.
City & Crime reports that Maryam, the third child in a family of eight children, struggled against all odds, using her toes to write and finished secondary school with good results that enabled her to secure admission to study economics in GSU.
