Starrays
By Tsebee Zack-karu
The Distinguished Senator, Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Nasarawa State, Sen. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada of SDP paid 2024 West African Examination Council (WAEC) registration fees through his Education Foundation for 744 less privileged students in public schools in his senatorial zone.According to Mr Ismaila Nuhu, the Chairman of the 2024 Education Foundation Committee, the gesture was borne out of the compassion of Wadada to support less privileged students. He disclosed this while disbursement of the fees at Karu Local Government Area Secretariat on Saturday.
He said 744 students were selected across Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone comprising Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Nasarawa and Toto local government areas and N25 million has been set aside for the programme.In his words:
“This is a wonderful initiative by the distinguished Senator because we discovered that, we have brilliant students who qualified to write for WAEC but cannot because of this little amount of money.
“So, the Distinguished thought it wise to intervene and support those students to unable to pay their fees.
“This is just the beginning. We understand that the WAEC registration fees is N33, 600 per candidate and Wadada released N25 million for this gesture.
“So, if you divide fees by the amount released by the senator, you will get 744 slots. That is the number of students to be supported across the five local government areas in the Senatorial Zone,” he said.
Mr Nuhu also elucidates that, academic performance was used in the selection of the students as a criteria. He said that, each local government got 134 slots making it 670 while the remaining slots were offered to political leaders for their candidates.Mr Nuhu assured that the programme would be sustained and the number of students to be supported increased in future.He urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture of the by doing well in their examinations.In a goodwill message, James B. Thomas, the Executive Chairman Karu Local Government Council described the gesture as impactful.He was ably represented by Hon. Emmanuel Cheto, Supervisory Councillor, Social Services in the council.
“Many before him have been senators but none of them have thought of this noble gesture.
“We in Karu are fully in support of his efforts and pray that the good effort that he has started, he will surely sustain it,” he stressed.
Speaking in seperate interviews, Mercy Ayuba, Acting Chief Evaluator of Education, in Nasarawa local government area commends Sen. Wadada for the gesture and urge beneficiaries of the initiative to reciprocate the gesture by excelling in their forthcoming WAEC examinations.
“Our expectations from the students in response to this noble gesture is that, they will come out in flying colours.
“However, I want to urge parents not to tamper with the money given to these children. If they do, it is the future of their children they tampered with,” she said.
According to the Deputy Minority Leader, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon Musa Saidu Gude (SDP- Uke/ Karshi), the perspective in which the masses look at before, most lost their hope and trust but what politicians are doing today most especially the good gesture of Sen. Wadada which he had being doing and did today had pave way for people to have much interest to participate in politics. Stressing that, this what the masses needed, voted and yearn for.
“Before the perspective which people look at politicians, most of our masses they giveup, many of them never want to join or hear anything like politics.
“But what we have seen today, people are now coming out because of the performance and activities most of the politicians are bringing out to the doorstep like the Distinguished Senator, Sen. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
“Before when they voted somebody into office it is hardly to see that person before you see them maybe during election or some days to election.
“You can see what happened today, many people are smiling because what they voted for has manifested and they are enjoying the dividends of what did.
“I am calling the politicians that we should learn from Sen. Wadada how to bring dividends of democracy to the people that voted us into those various offices.” Hon. Arc. Saidu Gude said.
Mr. Ogiri Christopher also commends the gesture of the Senator to support the less privileged. Stressing that supported not only his District but the entire nation.He said there are people who cannot afford to pay the registration fee but today the compassionate and a proactive represented has done it for them. Adding g that both Parents and children are pray for the Senator.
“The general impression is that, when good leaders are on seat, the entire people rejoices.
“It is on this background that, we that in educational circle find it necessary to appreciate the Distinguished Senator, Sen. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada for this kind gesture.
“Secondly, there are parents and children who cannot afford to pay the registration money of their wards.
“This is a great opportunity for them, parents children are happy and pray to Godfor more blessings.” He said.
In the latest development, Dogara Joy a beneficiary from Government Secondary School, Masaka in Karu Local Government Area said she is very grateful to what law maker has done to her and it will be a memorable in her life. She also pray to God Almighty for the law maker to continually achieve his feats.
“I want to say a very big thank you to Sen. Wadada because I never thought I will a day benefited from a law maker hut today I am part and parcel of 2024 Education Foundation WAEC sponsorship programme, I and my family, we really appreciate.
“My prayer is that, Almighty God should continue bless, guide and protect him to achieve more of his desired feats also help those in need.”
She saidHafsat Yunusa, a beneficiary from Government Secondary School, Kuru in Toto local government area, said the gesture was the first time any lawmaker had supported her education.
“I promise to use it for the purpose for which the money was given to me. I really appreciate what the senator has done for me,” she added.
The committee also visited Keffi and Kokona local government areas to disbursed the WAEC registration fees to students.
