ABUJA- The Federal Government plans to rejuvenate its scholarship scheme, as part of the strategies for the attainment of its seven-point agenda.
Hajiya Aishatu Dukku, the Minister of State for Education, made the announcement yesterday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.
“The Federal Government is not happy with the moribund state of its scholarship scheme, which has helped in maintaining high academic standard and merit in the country.
“The scheme was almost dead when we came in last year, but we have decided that something urgent must be done to revive it,” she said.
Dukku promised that the scheme would begin to function almost immediately after the exercise.
She said the scheme would continue to maintain its focus on merit in the selection of beneficiaries.
“Every Nigerian, irrespective of his or her state of origin or status will be given equal opportunity to access the scheme,” she added.
The minister said the plan was anchored on the seven-point agenda of the present administration, which placed great emphasis on education.
She declared: “We believe that education is central in the attainment of the seven-point
agenda, because it is the key to all the components.
“You cannot talk about food security without education. It is also a fact that you cannot achieve economic development without human capital development.’’
Dukku also defended the slow pace of the Yar’Adua administration, saying it was deliberate.
“The administration is not slow. On the contrary, we are just taking our time to plan very well, before rolling out our programmes.
“Nigerians will be amazed by the time we start rolling them out, that I assure you,” she said.
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