Wike Awards N280m Scholarships To FCT Indigenes, Flags Off Rehabilitation Of Schools

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has flagged off accelerated rehabilitation of 19 schools in the FCT in a bid to ensure access to quality education for all.

Wike, during the flag-off at the School for the Gifted in Gwagwalada, Abuja, also announced the award of N280m scholarships to indigent students in the FCT.

He emphasised the importance of providing not just access to education or conducive learning environment for students, but also ensuring its quality.

The minister announced plans to further rehabilitate 20 schools later in 2024, utilising funds from the recently passed 2024 budget of the FCT.

“I thank all of you, and I thank the students, and I want to assure you that all the expectations will be met. It is not only access to education. If you give access to education without quality, then you have not given education. While we are providing access, we must also provide quality.

“And quality entails that one, the environment must be conducive, the environment must be something that is habitable, the hostels and where you take care of yourself is very important. So be assured that we will give you the best. We are looking into the teachers too, how we are going to provide quality teachers to teach our students”, he said.

Speaking earlier, the Mandate Secretary of the Education Secretariat, Dr Danlami Hayyo, revealed that Wike had approved scholarships worth N280mm to over 130,000 indigent students in the FCT, spanning all levels of education.

According to him, the scholarship initiative aims to ensure that no child is left behind in accessing quality education.

“As we flag-off the rehabilitation of several schools across the FCT, this initiative is mot just about brick and mortar, it s about laying the foundation for a brighter future for our children.

“Permit me to state that the Honorable Minister recently graciously approved the disbursement of the total sum of N280,296,000 as a scholarship to 13,964 fresh and existing indigent students, across all levels of education in the FCT.

“This is to ensure that no child is left behind. Also, for the first time in 25 years, the Schools Sports Festival was held successfully. All these are testaments to the Honorable Minister’s commitment to the total development of our future leaders,” said Hayyo.