The Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has disclosed that he directed for a review of scholarship allowances for indigenous students studying in tertiary institutions across the country.
The governor made the disclosure to increase student scholarship allowances on Saturday while delivering an address during this year’s International Youths Day celebration, held at Kofar Mata Indoor Stadium.
According to him, the government is aware that the students also are suffering from economic hardship caused by COVID-19, noting that the government would do everything possible to alleviate their suffering.
Ganduje, however, disclosed that he directed for the review of the students’ scholarship allowances, adding that it would be implemented soon.
“We know our students are suffering from economic hardship. We have already directed for a review of their scholarship allowances. It would be implemented soon,”
The Governor added that his administration had spent N5 billion naira in establishing a skill acquisition centre for youths in the state, adding that over 400,000 youths have been trained in various skills in the last five years.
He stated that youths had in the state had been trained in skills including automobile technicians, carpentry, welding, tailoring and other vocational skills.
“We have spent N5b in constructing the Dangote Ultra Modern Skills Acquisition Centre and have also trained 400,000 youths in various skills including automobile technicians, carpentry, tailoring, welding and others.”
Also delivering his address, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Kabiru Lakwaya explained the essence and importance of the day while also calling on the state government adopt some resolutions reached during 4th session of the Nigeria Youth Parliament that took place in December 2019.
“The international youth day is set aside by the United Nations organization for collaborations with and among member nations, international and local development partners aimed at enhancing the socio-economic well being of youth that constitute over 60% of the world population.
“A lot of resolutions were passed during the Kano sitting such as:
“The need for investment in youth capital development to harness youth empowerment.
“The need for the North East Development Commission to engage the young generation in resolving the menace in that geopolitical zone of the country.
“The need for the removal of the age limit as one of the requirements for job recruitment in Nigeria.
The need to declare a state of emergency in education in Nigeria.
“This is precipitated by the Kano state initiative of providing free and compulsory education at primary and secondary school levels” he stated.