Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has granted scholarships to 800 indigent students studying science-related courses like Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture, and Information Communications Technology, in Nigerian universities.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, made the disclosure at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Scholars, Mentorship Forum, held at the International Women Centre, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Aliyu, who was the former Governor of Niger state, explained that 200 students had successfully completed their studies with 46 percent of them passing out with First Class, in the various fields.

He also revealed that most of them had been gainfully employed in different notable organizations, while some are presently undergoing their post-Graduate studies, and some others had ventured into self-employment.

Aliyu said that the idea behind the Sir Ahmadu Bello Scholars program was informed by the need to harness the enormous knowledge and potentials acquired by the students, who benefited from the scheme, with a view to molding and mentoring them to be responsible citizens.

” The scholars’ mentorship idea is a new program that aims at creating or developing a new crop of leaders, through mentorship on how to excel in their careers to be good leaders.

” The Sir Ahmadu Bello Scholars are also expected to assist our leaders in preaching peace and unity between students, who belonged to diverse ethnic groups and clans, in Northern Nigeria.

” This is with a view to coming together as one family in moving the region forward.

“The foundation strives to achieve the advocating concept of oneness and ability to achieve the quest of speaking with one voice on issues bothering the region, “he said.

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The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, urged northern governors to take proactive measures to address the Almajiri phenomenon, which had continued to plague the society.

Also, Malam Muhammadu Ja’afaru, Chairman, Advisory Council of the foundation, urged Sir Ahmadu Bello Scholars, to acquaint themselves with the exemplary leadership of the Premier of the defunct Northern Region.

” The foundation was set up primarily to inculcate the values, the tenets, and those things that Sir Ahmadu Bello stood for, during the short period that he served as the Premier of the Northern Region.

” If one man could serve the 19 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and still be remembered today after his demise several years ago, you know he must have done something beautifully well,“ the chairman said.