By Saminu Ibrahim
Barely few months after the inauguration of officials of Monguno’s Educational Foundation, the chief launcher and founder, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, who represents Borno north senatorial district at the Nigerian Senate has continue to receive encomiums from stakeholders.
It would be recalled that, following the launch, the foundation awarded scholarships to 100 indigent University students in Borno state. The students were drawn from the University of Maiduguri and Borno state University.
Determined to assist in the development of Borno state, particularly in the education sector, the chairman senate committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters, Barrister Monguno inaugurated the pioneer officials of the M. T. Monguno Educational Foundation, a non-profit organisation that strives to transform the educational sector of Borno north senatorial district.
The foundation comprises of selfless youths of like-minds who came together to support higher institution students of Northern Borno, the Girl Child and support the enrollment of children back to school in Borno North.
The officials of the foundation include but not limited to Dr Bashir Alhaji Bukar (Magumeri) of the Department of Pediatrics, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital as Director while Abba Alkali Goni (Marte), a lecturer and Head of Department (HOD), Library Information and Documentation of the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga served as pioneer coordinator.
Other pioneer members include Dr Ali Gambo of the UMTH (Gubio), Shettima Lawan Monguno of Radio Ndarason International (Monguno), Dr Sadiq Wajiro, former NUBOSS National President (Kaga) among others.
Indeed, the foundation swung into action with the first batch of the scholarship initiative to 50 beneficiaries across the two universities recently at Elkanemi Hall of the Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri.
The colourful occasion saw Bulama Mustapha Makinta, the Registrar of Ramat Polytechnic as chairman, while Dr. Ali Yaumi, the former Chairman of Magumeri LGA and a senior lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Maiduguri served as guest lecturer.
While extolling the great educational milestones of Senator Monguno, Dr. Yaumi, spoke on the need to accelerate education in modern times.
According to the foundation, the beneficiaries were selected through a rigorous screening and interview process which includes factors such as academic performance, social status and gender, but special considerations were given to orphans and the less privileged.
It was gathered that the Intervention of the foundation was timely because many of the beneficiaries were on the verge of dropping out of the universities due to the increase in registration fees.
Speaking at the occasion, Senator Monguno said “the only legacy that one can bequeath to humanity is education. As such I will do everything possible to support the educational development of my people. If not of education, I wouldn’t have been where I am today”.
He therefore called on the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity given to them and strive to study hard and be good ambassadors of Borno North.
Additionally, some of the beneficiaries eulogised the lawmaker and commended the foundation, stressing how the foundation identified, screened and subsequently considered them without any political or personal interest.
Meanwhile, dignitaries such as Hon. Sheikh Mohammed Ali Gajiram, Prof. Maina Gimba, Baba Mallum Bulin and Dr. Umar applauded the senator; they all described the founder (Monguno) as a selfless leader who is always ready to answer the calls, yearnings and aspirations of his people.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include, member representing Nganzai state constituency at the Borno State House of Assembly, Sheikh Ali Gajiram, Dean Students Affairs, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Maina Alhaji Gimba; Head of Department Agric Extension, Ramat Polytechnic, Dr. Umar Alhaji Bukar, stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) from ten local government areas among others.
Ibrahim writes from Abuja
