By Dauda R PamMaiduguri
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, has facilitated admissions, into Federal Government Colleges, of 959 boys and girls from 16 local government areas, who had been out of school as a result of displacements by Boko Haram.
The breakdown of the 959 admissions indicated that 774 girls and 185 boys, will be admitted into Federal Government Girls College, Monguno currently on a temporary site in Maiduguri and Federal Government College, Maiduguri.
The executive secretary of the newly established Borno State Education Trust Fund, Alhaji Maina Yaumi, on Wednesday formally welcomed the 185 boys into JSS 1 at FGC Maiduguri for commencement of studies and that an initial sum of N60m has been approved for the sponsorship of the 774 girls going to FGGC Monguno with over N37m for the 185 at FGC, Maiduguri.
Also a combined sum of N32,429,500 for payment of school fees, uniforms and shoes, and N5m for procurement of mattresses and other essential needs.
The Special Adviser Media to Governor BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM, Mallam Isa Gusau hinted that the boys were drawn from 16 local government areas from most backward school enrollments.
Abadam local government was given the highest number of 17 slots, followed by Guzamala which 15 slots, Marte-13, Baga-13, Mobbar-12, Kala-Balge, 11, Konduga 10, Ngala 10, Magumeri 10, Bama 10, Gubio 10, Dikwa 10, Kaga 10, Kukawa 10, Nganzai 10 and Monguno-9 slots.
Alh.Maina Yaumi charged the students to focus on their studies in line with Governor Zulum’s multi dimensional strategy on basic education.
The principal FGC MAIDUGURI, Mallam Umar Habeeb Jibrin, in his welcome address, thanked Governor Zulum for what he described as an unusually unique initiative, saying since the school was established in 1973, this is the first time such a high number of students were secured admission and sponsored by Government.
The Vice Principal, Academics, Mallam AbdulAzeez Kado, who stood in for the principal, announced that a special committee was going to be formed to be organizing extra lessons, especially in English Language and Mathematics as well as special orientation for the 185 boys to enable them to fully acclimatize to the new environment.
He promised that the management of FGC, Maiduguri, would work hard to make the new students among the best of its students in years to come.
Meanwhile the Education Trust Fund is currently working on a similar initiative to usher-in the 774 girls admitted into FGGC, Monguno, as soon as the procedures are completed.
