From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Ahmadu Bello University Zaria branch has disbursed a N4.4 m scholarship to 22 indigent students studying various courses in the University.
Comrade Haruna M. Jibril, ASUU Chairman, stated this during the scholarship award ceremony held at the Yusuf Bala Usman Hall at the main Campus Samaru.
He said the scholarship for the indigent students is initiated by the national body of ASUU with the mandate of at least 2 from the national, and the remaining 20 students were from the branch.
Comrade Jibril said this year that the number doubled last year from 10 to 22 following Congress’s approval to increase the beneficiaries.
According to him, the beneficiaries were carefully selected after intensive screening by the committee saddled with the screening mandate.
He hopes to do more in the subsequent years ahead as ASUU has sympathy and shows concern for students with supportive problems to continue with their studies.
In his message, Vice Chancellor Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Professor Kabiru Bala charged others in-house to emulate ASUU by giving support to indigent students in the University.
Represented by the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Sahalu Junaid, said if the in-house Unions followed ASUU steps by supporting indigent students with scholarships, it would touch the lives of many students whose academic activities are facing serious problems.
Professor Kabiru Bala commends ASUU for assisting indigent students in the second year, which witnessed significant improvement.
Also Speaking, the Chief Security Officer of the University, Ashiru T. Zango, applauded ASUU for its human consideration as his division has benefited with 42 bicycles, which made a significant impact on security operations in the university.