By: John Bassey, Kebbi.

The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has approved and released the sum of N714.98 for indigent students studying in different foreign universities.

The statement issued by Comrade Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kebbi State, revealed that the amount covers students’ registration fees, tuition, upkeep, visa extension, and internship.

Addressing a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Isah Abubakar-Tunga, said the gesture was part of relentless efforts towards revamping and rejuvenating Kebbi State Tertiary Education to a global standard.

He said recently, the governor had approved and released N349.73 million for registration, tuition, and upkeep allowances for 35 Kebbi indigenes proceeding to Ethiopia to study Medicine and Pharmacy.

Abubakar -Tunga revealed that the governor had also approved and released the sum of N177.35 million for 28 Kebbi State indigenes studying in Subhartiand GD Goinka University in India.

According to him, the governor approved N117.68 million as upkeep allowances for 25 Kebbi indigenes studying Medicine in seven universities in Egypt.

The commissioner added that N70.21 million was also released as financial assistance to Kebbi indigenes studying Pharmacy and Medical Allied Sciences in Jaipur National and GD Goenka Universities in India.

He said the approvals, all granted in Jan, brought the total financial commitment of the governor to the ministry within the period to N714.98 million.

The commissioner also announced the appointment of Dr Muhammed Murtala-Musa as the pioneer Provost, Kauran Gwandu College of Midwifery Sciences, Ambursa.

He added that the ministry remained committed to sustaining the governor’s educational development initiatives in the state.