Govt. denies allegations of plans to stop funding students studying abroad

chika ebuzor

July 23, 2016 8:56 AM

Garba told newsmen in Abuja that reports in some section of the media to that effect was untrue, saying that such was not in the contemplation of the state government.

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje

Kano State Commissioner for Information,

According to him, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje just hosted the 52nd Kano state executive council meeting which was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, commissioners, and policy issues were discussed.

He said that in spite of challenges inherited by the present administration in the state from its successor, the government had continued to pay tuition for students studying abroad and in some local universities.

''The total amount of N764 million for all approved projects was signed so that students will continue to enjoy their education.

''Ganduje has expended over N1 billion for those studying abroad and within, to uplift the standard of education in Kano state.

''A total of 5,550 foreign students were inherited; we felt it would be unfair for them to drop out as a result of financial challenges and so in the interest of education, Ganduje said the programme must continue.''

Garba said that the council was aware that the cost of one student studying abroad could sponsor 10 to 15 students locally.

According to him, it was for this that the government decided that except for critical courses lacking in Nigeria the state would no longer send students abroad.

''We are not condemning the past administration but we must look at issues of sustainability.

''We are not saying we will cancel or discontinue, but I feel there are critical programs that are not in our universities.''

On allegation that the governor had cancelled free education in the state, Garba said it was also untrue.

He said: ''We realized that priority should be given to primary education; primary education in Kano is free and compulsory.

''We have challenges of dilapidated structures, bad facilities, children sitting on the floor and so on; developmental projects are ongoing and school is compulsory.

''Scholarship and bursaries were not paid under the past administration but the board has been directed to bring in the number of students and they're working on it.

''Once the number comes in I can assure you that we will resume paying bursaries to our students and can sponsor them to higher levels.

''We are not indebted to the civil servants. We are up to date.

"In most cases we pay before the end of the month; as the allocation reduces we source for funds to pay but we pay.

''Some years back allocation to the state used to be N12 billion but now we get N3 million to N4 billion but the governor is looking outside government allocation; so all these allegations are untrue.''

The commissioner said that Kano was into commercial agriculture with a focus on wheat, rice and tomato production.

''We have revived our fertilizer companies and is producing 24 hours non-stop so our people will enjoy dividends and soon too.''

chika ebuzor