By Adegboyega Segun
The Kogi State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has unveiled the registration portal for the State Students Bursary Award 2024.
The Executive Chairman of Kogi State Scholarship Board, Mr. Afolabi Joseph Raji during a press briefing held in Lokoja said the Governor is so passionate about the youths and desired and determined in his heart to recommend the Students’ Bursary Scheme in Kogi State.
He emphasized that the Governor being an auditor per excellence had given them a core mandate to get accurate data of the students in order to be able to transparently pay Bursary to the indigent students of the state.
Speaking further, he said in view of this mandate the board has designed a standard and seamless portal for the indigenes of the state across the country to register.
The Executive Chairman reiterated that the bursary award is strictly for students of Kogi origin in tertiary institutions across the country.
He gave detailed explanation on how the students could easily access the site and get registered.
In order to be part of the scholarship beneficiary, he urged prospective beneficiaries to register by visiting https://scholarshipboard.kogistate.gov.ng
The State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jone in his speech said the intention of the state government was to make education the true tool with which they were going to drive poverty from the land and in order to achieve this is to ensure that all the necessary supports that the students in the various tertiary institutions need are provided, which Bursary happens to one.
Hon. Jones stated that in 2020 the Ministry developed Educational Sector plans from 2021 to 2030 which was a ten years strategic plans.
Emphasizing that, that’s the exact plans the Ministry has been working with, saying, everything the state has been able to achieve in education didn’t happen by chance but were things intentional and consciously drafted.
Speaking further, the Hon. Commissioner described His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as a governor who is ready to match his words with actions.
In his words, “this government especially in the area of education has been committed to two things. Number 1, Planning and Number 2 Funding. We have planned properly and adequately funding education in Kogi State. In order to be able to achieve this the previous Administration devoted 30% of its Annual Budget to education.”
“With this the previous Administration was able to establish two Universities. The establishment of two State Universities by the last administration under former Gov. Bello was made with the intention to prepare our people professionally for the exploration of the mineral deposits in the state and to satisfy students from the State seeking admission to study their courses of Choice.”
He reiterated that the present Administration would build and sustain on these strategic plans, pointing out that is the essence of continuity and consolidation.
The State Special Adviser on Youths and Students Affairs, Hon. Oladele John Nihi in his comments commended His Excellency for matching his words with actions, as he had previously stated his plan to put priority and premium on the students and youths of Kogi State.
Hon. Nihi stated His Excellency plan of the monthly commitment from the state monthly allocation for Scholarship and Bursary of Kogi State Students.
The President of the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS) Comrade Jeremiah Elukpo in his speech appreciated His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for the steadfast initiative.
Comrade Jeremiah also commended Kogi State Scholarship Board for a job well done and encouraged all Kogi State Students within and outside the state to key into this process.
