THE council Chairman of Mikang Local Government Area, Hon. Augustine Bako, has disbursed another set of scholarship funds to over three hundred (300) students who are indigenes of the local government studying in three higher institutions in Plateau State.
This took place at the Joshua Dariye Multipurpose Hall Jos campus of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin-Ladi Saturday, where beneficiaries from the University of Jos, Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin-Ladi and Veterinary Research Institute Vom trooped in.
While addressing the beneficiaries, the Council Chairman said, “on assumption of office in October 2021, I test ran the scholarship scheme by randomly selecting a number of over one hundred students cutting across the four districts of the local government. This was due to the shortfall of subvention from the Federal Government.
“In January 2022, I continued with the scheme by starting with the Plateau State University Bokkos and in March, students of FCE Pankshin were also successfully screened and paid, while those of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and College of Agriculture Garkawa took their turns in June that same year where in the first one year of my administration, over five hundred students of Mikang origin have benefited from the programme.
“It will interest you to know that today’s programme covers three schools: University of Jos, Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin-Ladi and Veterinary Research Institute Vom respectively with over three hundred beneficiaries. Even in the midst of the financial crisis, I have taken bold steps to impact our electorate with some projects that are imminent to their livelihood”, he highlighted.
According to him, “You will agree with me that the scheme is far away from politics, religion and ethnicity. I want to appreciate those who were involved in the screening exercise and the subsequent selection for using the unique formula that has brought us here today. For those of you who could not make the list this afternoon, it is expected that you will be in the supplementary list.
” This programme is a challenge to those who do not value education, but I urge you to encourage them to join you. I am always at your service and our unity is paramount. Please stay out of trouble and face your studies. Make the 2023 election free, fair and successful”, Bako charged.
Earlier, the Chairman of Scholarship Scheme, Joseph Makum, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use this golden opportunity to develop themselves because they were not the most qualified or special students but it was a privilege for all of them in the various institutions.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, President, Mikang Students Association (MIKSA) Jessica Rimimi Dole, thanked the chairman for the good gesture. She said that “ It is not a right, but a privilege that we will not forget in a hurry. We promise to make you proud.
