The Basira Bashir Foundation has awarded a total of N600,000 in educational support to three students of the Niger State School of Agriculture, Kuta Study Centre.
The founder of the foundation and Executive Director, Finance, North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Prof. Muhammad Bashir Nuhu Tachi, announced the gesture during the institution’s matriculation ceremony held in Kuta.
Prof. Tachi said the support was aimed at encouraging students to develop a strong passion for education, which he described as a vital bridge between poverty and prosperity. He urged the newly matriculated students to make the most of the opportunity before them.
He identified the beneficiaries as Aisha Sinusi Aliyu, Khadija Adamu, and Za’irah Yunusa. Aisha, who emerged as the highest-scoring student and received an award at the ceremony, was given N100,000. Khadija and Za’irah, who jointly presented two poems titled “What Will Be Will Be” and “Insecurity in Shiroro Local Government Area,” were awarded N250,000 each.
Prof. Tachi also directed that the poems be properly documented for future use.
He appealed to the Niger State Government and the management of the school to consider upgrading the Kuta Study Centre, especially as the institution transitions into the Niger State University of Agriculture, Mokwa.
In his remarks, the Provost of the school, represented by Dr. Aliyu Garba Abdullahi, described the Kuta centre as the best among all study centres. He commended both students and staff for their performance, noting that the centre produced the best student of the year.
He encouraged them to sustain the momentum, expressing optimism that the centre would soon reap the benefits of its hard work.
The Coordinator of the centre, Dr. Sani Muhammad, appreciated the school management for its continued support and called for approval to commence Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes to enable students to further their education.
He assured that the centre has adequate manpower to run the programme and appealed for additional support from authorities and well-meaning individuals, particularly in the provision of furniture and infrastructure.
The matriculation ceremony also featured cultural displays, poetry presentations, and a drama performance by the Ali Janzaki drama group.
