Photo: Governor Kashim Shettima (third right) tapping Israel Galadima Zakari (from Biu local government area in Borno State) who came first in the 2018 JAMB exams with 364 marks. First right is Jummai, Israel's mother while on Governor Shettima's immediate right is Borno's Commissioner for Higher Education, Usman Jaha and another official when the Governor presented a award letter for fiye years scholarship with payment upfront to cover a Degree at Covenant University where Israel is already admitted... at the Government House in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
Best JAMB student: Borno Governor orders upfront payment of N5m as full University scholarship to Israel Galadima
... Israel made nine distinctions in WAEC
Governor Kashim Shettima on Tuesday met Israel Galadima Zakari from Biu in Borno State, who emerged overall best in Nigeria after scoring 364 in the 2018 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB. The student was accompanied to the Government House in Maiduguri by his mother, Jummai. Shettima presented a letter of Borno Government scholarship to Israel and order the State's Commissioner for Higher Education, Usman Jaha to raise a cheque of N5m to cover upfront payment of tuition, accommodation, books and maintenance at Covenant University in Ogun State where the student has already gained admission for Degree in electronics engineering.
The Governor said since he will be completing his tenure in 2019, he prefers to approve payment upfront in order to ensure that Isreal, who made nine distinction after taking this year’s West African Examination Council's papers, does not have to follow-up on any tuition at the State scholarship board.
"Israel, as his mother has told us, was raised as an orphan. The mother lost her husband who was a Major in the Nigerian Army about 14 years ago and she singlehandedly raised three children. Israel is the second of her children. She works in Lagos as a Banker, we don't have to make her travel all the way to Maiduguri again to pursue any payment. She has done her part by raising a child with excellence and that child has made Borno State very proud. It's our turn to support him. I will suggest that the mother pays all the fees upfront to avoid any tuition increase in future. I am particular about Israel because he was raised as an orphan" Shettima said.
Jummai, the student's mother, couldn't hold back tears. She recalled that she attended University of Maiduguri before getting married.
"Your Excellency, I have been taking care of the three children since I lost my husband. I work in the bank in Lagos. Israel has a sister in the University. With your kindness that is beyond our expectation, you have lifted a big burden on me. Honestly, when I received your invitation to come to Maiduguri with Isreal, I didn't expect something as huge as what you have just done. May God bless you and I pray that all Borno children surpass what Israel has achieved. Northerners are intelligent, they only need support and Your Excellency we all know what you are doing in Borno. The changes you are making are visible. I am very sure that with what you are doing, the sky will be the limit of Borno children. God will forever bless you, sir" Jummai said.
