By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Known for his passion for humanity, former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has sponsored another set of 17 indigent Students from Sokoto State to study for their first degree programs in University of Lahore, Pakistan.
Wamakko is now a third term Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial district of the State.
The 17 indigent students sent to Pakistan are to study mostly Sciences, Information Technology and Engineering, among other related fields as disclosed in a press's conference by Almustapha Abubakar Alkali.
Alkali, who is the acting Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Basic Education and Director of Administration, office of Senator Wamakko, confirmed that the Senator is sponsoring many indigent children in the state to acquire their first Degrees, Masters and PhDs, within and outside Nigeria.
"Already, the first batch of 25 students who were sent to study undergraduate and Post graduate programs in Pakistan have graduated with flying colours.
"Also sponsored to various countries by Senator Wamakko, were 3 students at USA, 4 to UK, 4 at Cyprus, 3 in Malaysia and 13 students to Bangladesh.
"'Others were those of Maryam Abacha American University Maradi, where first and second batches of 57 and 32 students were sent to.
"'The 57 beneficiaries under the first batch had successfully graduated in various fields of study.
"'Furthermore, another batch were sent to ISFOP at Benin Republic, numbering 27, while another set of 6 students was sponsored at Islamic University, Uganda.
"In the same vein, 20 students are currently at the Sudan Academy for Aviation Sciences and Technology".
While disclosing that the Sudan students are currently at home because of the security situation there, Abubakar stressed that, "'the students may be taken to another country by the sponsor to continue their studies or wait until the situation improves".
Continuing, he said, Senator Wamakko had also sent 10 more students to the Islamic University of Niger, Saye, Niger Republic for first degree programs. 25 others are currently studying at the prestigious Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto state and additional 63 are at Al-Qalam University Katsina, Katsina State.
"Another 30 and 22 students are currently studying at Al-Hikmah and Crown Hill Universities Ilorin, Kwara State with 17 others studying Computer Science at Dialogue Computer Institute Kaduna, Kaduna State.
'"45 students are also pursuing various first degree courses at the Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State. 54 others undergoing their post graduate Degrees (Masters and Ph.Ds) in various fields of studies at the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Kaduna State.
"'Wamakko is also sponsoring another 80 students in BIGA College Sokoto, Sokoto State, for their National Certificate of Education, NCE.
"The Senator being a seasoned administrator, educationist, classroom teacher and Chief Servant of Sokoto people who has been working towards ensuring a better society, recently initiated and established the first private University in Sokoto State named "NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO" for Knowledge, Progress and Excellence.
The University which had already commenced its academic activities is said to be one of the cheapest institutions in terms of tuition fees across the federation. NNL.