THE Federal Government has expressed satisfaction with the scholarships awarded to Nigerians by some countries of the world under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) for the 2023/2024 academic session in spite of global economic meltdown.
A total of 230 beneficiary scholars who were offered undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships after rigorous selection process have so far departed to three countries, namely Hungary 72, Russia 175 and Morocco 83 to resume studies in various tertiary institutions in the destination countries.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, speaking during the pre-departure ceremony for the 83 Nigerians awarded with Moroccan scholarships, warned the scholars not to disgrace the country but conduct themselves in an exemplary manner.
He told the scholars to make their parents and Nigeria proud by being worthy ambassadors in the country of their studies.
The minister said that the scholars had successfully completed the mandatory nine months French Language Training Programme at various centres of ‘Alliance Francaise’ in Nigeria for the 2022/2023 academic year and are now fully prepared for departure to Morocco for their main academic courses for the 2023/2024 academic session
He said that their success in being chosen as scholars for the programme was a reflection of academic brilliance as well as the efforts of their teachers and parents.
“I, therefore, want to first congratulate your parents for inculcating in you values and ethics that made you embrace your learning with commitment. I also congratulate your teachers, some of whom might be here, for providing you with necessary knowledge that qualified you for this scholarship.
“Your selection as scholars is part of a broader plan to deepen the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which ensures that brilliant Nigerians, especially those that cannot afford to study programmes that are not readily available in Nigeria, are supported to get necessary knowledge, skills and competencies that would be useful in Nigeria’s development agenda.
“I am happy to inform you that despite the global economic meltdown, the numbers of our development partners have increased and many of them now offer scholarships to Nigeria.
“The minister also advised the scholars not to see the scholarship as a freedom, adding that Nigeria is investing a lot in them and expect that the returns of the investment would manifest in them coming back to help move the nation forward.
He enjoined the parents of the awardees to always uphold them in prayers and encourage them with sound advice at all times.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then