TheCable

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, has facilitated the admission of 959 out-of-school children from 16 local government areas of the state.

Of the 959 citizens, admissions were secured for 774 girls into Federal Government Girls College, Monguno, which currently operates a temporary site in Maiduguri. The remaining 185 boys were admitted at the Federal Government College, Maiduguri.

From the 16 LGAs, Abadam had the highest number with 17 slots, followed by Guzamala which got 15 slots, Marte 13, Maga 13, Mobbar 12, Kala-Balge 11, Konduga 10, Ngala 10, Magumeri 10, Bama 10, Gubio 10, Dikwa 10, Kaga 10, Kukawa 10, Nganzai 10 and Monguno got 9 slots.

Zulum had approved an initial N60 million for the sponsorship of 774 girls and over N37 million for 185 boys, including N32,429,500 for payment of school fees, uniforms and shoes, and N5 million for procurement of mattresses and other essential needs.

On Wednesday, Maina Yaumi, executive secretary of the newly established Borno State Education Trust Fund, welcomed 185 boys for the commencement of studies.

Yaumi urged the students to focus on their studies in line with the state government’s basic education goals.

In his welcome address, Umar Habeeb Jibrin, principal of FGC Maiduguri, commended Zulum for what he described as a unique initiative.

He said since the establishment of the school in 1973, it was the first time such a high number of students were securing admission and sponsored by the government.

AbdulAzeez Kado, the school’s vice-principal, announced that a special committee will be formed to be organising extra lessons, especially in English Language and Mathematics, as well as special orientation for the 185 boys to enable them to fully acclimatise to the new environment.