The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida,
has admonished students preparing to study in universities across the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be worthy ambassadors of the State and
Nigeria.
He gave the advice while representing Governor Nasir
Idris, Kauran Gwandu, on Tuesday at the commencement of a screening
exercise and capacity-building workshop in Birnin Kebbi.
It was
organized by the State Ministry for Religious Affairs. The Programme is
designed to screen 70 students for university admission to pursue both
conventional and religious degree courses under the Saudi Arabian
scholarship scheme.
In a statement by Yahaya SARKI, Special
Adviser on Media, and Publicity to the Governor, the Deputy Governor
said “This is a rare opportunity, make the best use of it, when you get
there, conduct yourselves in a manner that brings pride to Kebbi State
and the entire nation,” Tafida advised.
He prayed for the students’ success and urged them to adhere strictly to the guidelines of the programme.
Sen.
Tafida commended the Saudi Government for its collaboration with Kebbi
State, and expressed appreciation to the facilitators from Riyadh for
their commitment.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State
Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida, delivered goodwill message
to the students for success, offering prayers for their safe journey and
excellence in academic pursuits.
The Head of the Saudi
delegation, Dr. AbdulRahman Essa'udi, said he has accumulated more than
11 years of experience in facilitating students' admission into Saudi
universities.
He affirmed preparedness to guide Kebbi students through the application processes.
“Many
students lack knowledge of the admission procedures, with the support
of the Kebbi State Government, I am here to help them understand and
complete the necessary formalities,” he said.
Earlier at a news
briefing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs,
Engr. Imrana Ibn Usman, announced that the Kebbi State Government would
shoulder the cost of transportation of the students to Saudi Arabia,
while the Saudi Government would take responsibility for their education
and welfare.
Present at the event were the former Head of
Service and DG, Argungu International Fishing Festival, Alhaji Safiyanu
Garba-Bena,Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Arc. Sani Aliyu, and the
Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Engr. Imrana Ibn
Usman, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, among others