Economic hardship: ASUU gives cash awards to 19 indigent students in Bauchi zone

From Paul Orude Bauchi

As Nigerians continue to groan under socio-economic hardship, no fewer than 19 indigent students have received scholarship awards of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to enable them continue their studies.

The Universities in the Zone and number of benefitting students are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (5), Gombe State University (4) Federal University Kashere (2) University of Jos (5) and Bauchi State University (2) and Plateau State University (currently wrting exams).

Presenting the cash awards to the recipients, ASUU National Chairman, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the Union. Professor Christopher Piwuna, said the union rejects the proposed N4 million loan for indigent students.

The union urged the federal government to do the needful and properly fund education by making it accessible to all Nigerians. especially the poor.

He assured that the union would continue to fight against negative policies that are detrimental to the development of educan.tion.

He urged students and parents to support the cause of ASUU to preserve the country’s universities from draconian laws of government.

Osodeke called on well-meaning Nigerians to complement the efforts of ASUU by supporting indigent students to continue their education.

The ASUU President assured that the indigent scholarship to university undergraduate students across the country would be reviewed to accommodate more students.

In his speech, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Comrade Lazarus Maigoro, disclosed this on Saturday on the occasion of the award of annual indigent scholarship by ASUU to the undergraduates in the zone, held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

“For this year, ASUU Bauchi zone is giving 19 indigent students scholarship apart from the twelve 12 already awarded by ASUU national in the six universities that constitute Bauchi zone,” Maigoro said.

“This will further assist more indigent students to be able to acquire university education”

Maigoro said ASUU was aware of the predicament of the indigent students who are sometimes prevented from writing examinations on the basis of not being able to pay their school fees/charges as the case may be thereby truncating their future.

“It is worthy to note that many students have dropped out of school due to the inability of their parents to pay their school fees or charges,” he lamented.

“This indigent student’s scholarship funded solely by ASUU at the national level or branch level has continued to support students towards the attainment of their educational objectives.

“I can authoritatively say without mincing words that as we teach these students in the classroom, we notice quite a number who are distressed due to the very harsh economic realities of our country.

“It is for this reason that ASUU totally rejects the idea of the student’s loan but students grant instead of loan which should not be paid back”

He expressed delight that the 2023 scholarship was celebrated in Bauchi zone of ASUU.
“ASUU has earmarked the 12 of November every year tagged “Heroes Day” to celebrate members of the union who have made heavy sacrifices while serving the union.

“In fact, some of them like the late Festus Iyayi of university of Benin, David Jangkam of the University of Jos and many others died white on ASUU assignment while others like Prof Suleiman Abubakar of ATBU were recognized as living heroes for their contributions to the union”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of ASUU ATBU, Bauchi, Dr. Inuwa Inuwa Ibrahim urged students and parents to support the struggle of members of ASUU saying it was in the interest of the country.