Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Wednesday, bided farewell to 19 students, who would depart the state for Suez City in Egypt to study and obtain Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree on full government scholarship.

The scholarship to Suez University for which Zulum released N250 million was one of the outcomes of a visit to some Egyptian Universities by Governor Zulum in November, 2020.

The governor had, during that trip, promised to approve scholarship for youths from the most deprived family backgrounds in Borno State to study in Egypt, other countries, and across Nigeria.

Zulum, later in February 2022, made a follow-up visit to the Egyptian embassy in Abuja for a meeting with Ambassador Ihab Awad, to discuss the educational partnership.

According to the state government, 19 youths who benefitted from that partnership were selected from Borno’s 27 Local Government Areas, comprising of 12 young men and seven young women.

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However, Governor Zulum, while receiving the 19 beneficiaries at the Government House, Maiduguri, the state capital on Wednesday, congratulated the youths and urged them to focus on their studies and be good ambassadors of Borno State and Nigeria.

The governor announced the release of $500 as special parting gifts to each of the 19 students.

He added that each of them will be receiving $200 every month in addition to the provision of accommodation and some logistics.

Speaking, the Borno State Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Babagana Mallambe, whose ministry supervises Borno State Scholarship Board, said the beneficiaries will depart Nigeria for Egypt on February 11, 2023.

On his part, the Chairman of Borno State Scholarship Board, Baba Isa, said all payments and necessary documentation have been concluded.

The Star