Bichi lawmaker sends 38 students abroad for master’s degrees, six graduates secure FG jobs

The member representing Bichi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, has sent 38 students abroad to pursue Master’s degree programmes under his foreign scholarship scheme.

The development was announced on Monday at the Hagagawa Mini Stadium, Bichi, Kano State, where the lawmaker also welcomed 21 beneficiaries of the first batch who recently returned after completing their postgraduate studies abroad.

Six of the returning beneficiaries have secured employment with the Federal Government and are expected to commence work this week.

The returning scholars studied science and technology-related courses, including Cybersecurity, Software Engineering and Information Technology.

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Abubakar, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, said the scholarship programme was designed to address educational gaps and contribute to human capital development in his constituency.

He recalled that the first batch of beneficiaries had left for Malaysia about one and a half years ago to pursue their Master’s degrees.

“If you remember, one and a half years ago, we gathered here to see you off as you departed for Malaysia to pursue your Master’s degree. Alhamdulillah, today we are here again to welcome you back after successfully completing your Master’s degree,” he said.

The lawmaker commended the returning beneficiaries for their dedication, saying their achievements demonstrated the value of investing in human capital.

“I was impressed by your dedication. As we can see today, you have all become high flyers in your different fields after graduation.

“This initiative is part of my efforts to address existing educational gaps and fast-track our country’s development. Globally, human capital is the number one asset, and it is against this backdrop that we have taken this step,” he said.

Addressing the new beneficiaries, Abubakar urged them to remain focused on their studies and become good ambassadors of Nigeria while abroad.

He said arrangements had been made to provide them with a conducive learning environment and urged the beneficiaries to strive for outstanding academic results.

The lawmaker said the initiative was also aimed at complementing the educational efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf by expanding access to education for less privileged youths.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Foreign Scholarship Committee, Dr Ado Abdu Bichi, said the 38 beneficiaries were selected strictly on merit after undergoing a comprehensive screening process.

He commended Abubakar for sustaining the scholarship programme, saying it would contribute significantly to producing more highly educated young people in Bichi Federal Constituency.

Also speaking at the event, the member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, commended Abubakar for his commitment to youth empowerment through education.

Ado-Doguwa described the scholarship initiative as an exceptional intervention, saying the lawmaker’s activities had extended beyond his constituency.

“I have spent almost over 30 years in the House of Representatives, and I have never seen a member like Abubakar Kabir Abubakar. His participation and commitment are not only in Bichi, Lagos or Enugu; they extend across Nigeria,” he said.

The event was attended by members of the National Assembly, community leaders, stakeholders, representatives of dignitaries, beneficiaries and their families, as well as other invited guests.