Prof Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, has authorized the transfer of N250 million for 19 of the state’s orphans and vulnerable indigenes to study medicine in Egypt.
The students chosen from the 27 local government districts are expected to travel to Suez City, Egypt, to study and receive Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degrees on a full government scholarship for five years.
Governor Babagana Zulum told students at the Government Houses in Maiduguri yesterday that the scholarship to Suez University was one of the outcomes of his visit to some Egyptian universities in November 2020.
During that tour, Governor Zulum offered to approve scholarships for students from the most disadvantaged families in Borno State to study in Egypt, other countries, and across Nigeria.
Later in February 2022, the government returned to the Egyptian embassy in Abuja for a meeting with Ambassador Ihab Awad to explore the educational relationship.
The 19 students were taken to the Government House by Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallambe, Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, whose ministry oversees the Borno State Scholarship Board.
While congratulating the kids, Governor Zulum advised them to focus on their studies and be excellent ambassadors for Borno and Nigeria, and he announced the distribution of 500 US dollars to each of the 19 students as parting gifts.
He also stated that each of them will receive $$ 200 per month in addition to the provision of housing and certain logistics.
Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallambe, the Borno state Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, previously stated that the beneficiaries will depart for Egypt on February 11, 2023.
Malam Baba Isa, Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, also spoke and affirmed that all payments and related documents had been completed.
