BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Kasim Mohammed, has officially launched the Council’s scholarship scheme with the presentation of admission letters to 50 beneficiaries.
The initiative, according to the Chairman, is part of his administration’s commitment to investing in education and creating greater opportunities for young people across the Area Council.
Speaking at the commencement of the programme, Mohammed said the scholarship was conceived to make quality education accessible to students whose academic ambitions could be affected by financial difficulties.
He explained that his initial plan was to sponsor beneficiaries to study outside Nigeria, but prevailing economic realities, the financial obligations of the Council and the value of the naira made it necessary to adopt a more sustainable approach.
According to him, rather than abandon the initiative because of financial constraints, the administration decided to begin with a university within Abuja that could provide education comparable to international standards.
The Chairman said the Council conducted investigations, consulted relevant stakeholders and assessed available institutions before selecting the university for the scholarship programme.
He said, “If we cannot take every student abroad, what is the essence of the scholarship? We must start somewhere, despite the challenges.”
Mohammed urged the beneficiaries to see the scholarship as a responsibility and an opportunity to justify the confidence placed in them by the Council.
He said the initial number of beneficiaries was deliberately limited to 50 to enable the Council to effectively monitor the programme and provide the necessary support to the students.
The Chairman expressed optimism that the scheme would expand in subsequent years to accommodate 100, 200 or more beneficiaries, depending on available resources and the performance of students already enrolled.
He charged the beneficiaries to maintain strong academic performance, discipline and good conduct throughout their studies, stressing that they were selected based on established criteria and should not take the opportunity for granted.
Mohammed also disclosed that the Council was considering recommendations for additional beneficiaries and exploring the possibility of extending the scheme to postgraduate students, including those pursuing Master’s and PhD programmes.
He assured the students that the scholarship would not end with the presentation of their admission letters, saying the Council would maintain communication with them throughout their academic journey.
According to him, appropriate communication channels would be established to monitor the students’ academic progress, provide relevant information and maintain engagement with the beneficiaries and their parents.
He called on parents to complement the Council’s efforts by encouraging and monitoring their children throughout the programme.
The Chairman clarified that while the scholarship would cover the agreed components of the beneficiaries’ education, the students would still have some personal responsibilities, including the provision of certain study materials and other individual needs.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the university’s facilities, particularly its library and e-library resources, while remaining focused on their academic pursuits.
Mohammed further stressed that the decision to keep the beneficiaries within Abuja should not be viewed as a compromise on educational quality, noting that the ultimate objective was to ensure that the students acquire quality knowledge, discipline and professional competence.
He said the administration carefully assessed the selected institution and its capacity to provide the beneficiaries with an enabling academic environment.
The Chairman described the scholarship scheme as an investment in the future of Gwagwalada Area Council, expressing hope that the beneficiaries would graduate as competent professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to the development of their communities and Nigeria.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and prayed for Allah’s guidance, protection, wisdom and success throughout their academic journey.
