Professor Bala Dogo of the Department of Geography, Kaduna State University (KASU), has disclosed that Southern Kaduna people living in Europe have donated funds to pay the fees of indigent students in the institution.
Dogo said about 23 beneficiaries have already been briefed of the development.
According to the Professor, he initiated the idea to solicit for funds from friends and other well-to-do individuals from the society in order to ease the hardship faced by indigent students in the institution.
“The Southern Kaduna people living in Europe donated N1,340,000, while others, including those from the academia donated their widows might which amounted to N1.5 million.”
He explained that a steering committee comprising his colleagues in the institution’s bursary, ICT departments and some of the students was set up to sort out those who mostly deserve the assistance adding that the steering committee agreed that the money should be paid directly to the school and not be given to the students to ensure that the donors’ intention was achieved.
“We set up a criteria which allows only those who needed less than N100,000 to graduate from the University and go for their National service.“
He solicited for the assistance of other well meaning Nigerians to engage in ameliorating the hardship of students in institutions of higher learning.
“We still have many of those indigent students in the institution, the 23 beneficiaries are only a pilot phase, we have many on our list which we hope to also assist.”
Dogo also encouraged his colleagues in the institution to always try doing something extra and different outside their primary assignments as lecturers and non academic staff in order to help cushion and alleviate the plight of students who may be in need.
A beneficiary, Ms Jenifer Daniel, a 500 level, final year student of Environmental Management described the initiative as impressive.
She expressed joy, adding that offsetting her school fees would go a long way in ensuring she graduates and goes for her national service on time.
Also, Micheal Enoch, a final year student of Geography, expressed joy, while thanking Dogo for the Initiative.
“I have been having sleepless nights thinking of how to raise the money to pay my fees just to graduate and face other challenges life may throw up,” he added.
PIAK
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