The 370 Kano indigenes sponsored by former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for postgraduate studies have returned to Nigeria after completing their programs at various universities in India, Dubai and Sudan.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the first batch of the students left the shores of Nigeria in September 2019.
The students, who benefitted from the scholarship grant anchored through the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation, arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday at about 9:15 pm.
Receiving the scholars, Mr Kwankwaso expressed his excitement, saying that he was happy to receive the students back home in good health.
“This is a day to remember, a very historic day as our dream comes true. I am delighted to welcome you home, I am so grateful that many of you have passed with outstanding results,” he said.
Recalling how he birthed the idea of granting foreign scholarship to indigent students, the former defense minister said he pulled resources from different quarters, including donations from well-wishers and selling his personal properties.
“My passion for education has no boundaries. I went to an extent to selling some of my properties to ensure the take-off of this foreign scholarship initiative under the auspices of Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation,” he added.
According to him, the 370 postgraduate beneficiaries were offered a full paid foreign scholarship which includes tuition, airfare, accommodations and living expenses throughout their period of study.
Speaking shortly after their arrival, the leader of the students, Yusuf Baba-Dala, appreciated the tenacity of Mr Kwankwaso for initiating the program, “that accorded them a life-changing opportunity to study various courses at postgraduate level in top-notch universities abroad”.
