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Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District Simon Bako Lalong has presented scholarship awards to 60 indigent students from the six local Government areas of his Constituency studying at the Federal Polytechnic Nyak, Plateau State.
Senator Lalong who was represented at the presentation by his Legislative Aide Hon. Nandom Exodus Pennyap said the Scholarship Scheme is part of his initiative aimed at empowering his constituents through education.
He said education is power which not only dispels darkness, but helps build the capacity of the human being.
The Senator explained that the motivation behind the scholarship is not only to provide opportunities for brilliant students who come from poor homes, but to also encourage the youths within Plateau South Senatorial District to ensure that they do not neglect education.
He said “Without education, I would not have got the opportunity to be exposed and given the opportunity to serve as Speaker, Governor, Minister, and now Senator among other national responsibilities that I have been privileged to handle. Looking back, I affirm that it all started from this village when I was enrolled into school. Because I want to replicate what I have benefited, I came up with the Senator Lalong Scholarship Scheme to give back to my community which has given me the opportunity to serve as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this case, I have decided to reach out to the entire Senatorial District that I represent at the national assembly”.
He explained that under the Senator Lalong Scholarship Scheme, 60 students selected from the six Local Government Areas of the Southern Senatorial District are benefiting.10 students were selected from each of the six local Governments who are studying various courses at the Polytechnic.
“The beneficiaries who are in ND 1 and ND 2 are from the departments of Business Administration, Electrical Electronics Engineering, and Statistics. The scholarship covers their tuition fees throughout their study in the Polytechnic. In the next session, we shall increase the number to to fulfil our desire to carry on as many students as possible” he said.
Lalong also said it is his passion to continued to support and nuture the Federal Polytechnic Nyak, saying in addition to all that he did towards its establishment and take-off, he has included the construction of internal road networks as well as Solar Minigrid among others as part of his Constituency Projects within the institution.
Rector of the Polytechnic who was represented by the Librarian, Mr. James Tunlong appreciated the gesture of Senator Lalong which said was the first of its kind since the school started.
He urged them to make the Senator and their families proud by coming out with flying colours.
He acknowledged the continuous support of Senator Lalong to the Polytechnic through infrastructure development and other aspects that has made it possible for the institution to commence academic activities.
Responding on behalf of the students, Yahaya Abubakar an ND 2 Student studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering expressed profound gratitude to the Senator for making their dream come true as many of them come from poor homes which cannot afford to pay for their tuition.
He said with the gesture by the Senator, he has removed a huge burden from the shoulders of their parents. He promised that they will make good use of the scholarship awards by studying hard to come out tops.
The students prayed for the success of the Senator and said they will continue to support him to succeed whenever he decides to run for re-election or seek any political position in the country since he has enabled them to benefit from dividends of democracy.
Also speaking, the Plateau State APC Secretary Hon. Fidelis Longban commended Senator Lalong for showing a good example as leader of the party in the State, urging other politicians to emulate.
He said such gestures do not only address value to the party, but bring the APC closer to the people as well as inspiring hope among the younger generation. He appealed the students to make good use of the opportunity to enable others also benefit in the future.
The representative of Senator Lalong was accompanied by the APC Chairman, Shendam LGA, and Hon. Edward Velwan, his Senatorial Liaison Officer.
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