By Lawal Dogara, Kaduna

Kaduna State Government is sponsoring 15 students to train as pilots and engineers at the College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

Governor Mohammed Namadi Sambo who made the disclosure while speaking recently at the sensitization workshop for Students Union Executives and Deans of Students Affairs of Higher Institutions in Kaduna state, explained that "for the first time in history, Kaduna state government is sponsoring students to train as pilots and Engineers aimed at actualizing our missions".

He also disclosed that currently 14,942 students were undergoing various courses in higher institutions under the state scholarship.

He said his administration was committed toward the development of education explaining that "in our 11-point agenda education is given top priority. In this regard, we lunched free primary education programme thereby relieving the burden of payment of school fees, uniforms and text books from the parents and guardians. Similarly, a 5% increase in the salary of teachers as against that of other civil servants in the same grade level has since commenced".

Governor Sambo who spoke through his deputy, Mr Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa also said that plans have reached an advanced stage to build houses for teachers especially the ones in the rural areas.

He advised both the students and school authorities to note that government required their support and cooperation for effective actualization of its policies.

In his welcome address the commissioner for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and Students Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Shehu Makarfi said the sensitization workshop for deans of students affairs and students union executives in the state was aimed at achieving lasting peace in the campuses of higher institutions in the state.

He said the workshop was in partial fulfillment of the government desire to ensure that students tolerated and live peacefully with one another on campuses so as to create enabling environment for them to excel in their studies.

Alhaji Makarfi advised the students to always remember the primary purpose of getting enrolled in institutions of higher learning saying "you should also remember the sacrifices made by your parents to send you to school. It is saddening that many students abandon, neglect and infact even reject the main objective of coming to school and allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals to cause confusion on our campuses".