Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has revealed that a total of 179 students awarded the Bilateral Education Agreement scholarship in Russian for the 2023/2024 academic session are to depart Nigeria on Wednesday.
Mamman disclosed this while speaking at the Pre-departure briefing on Tuesday, advising them to return to the country upon completion of their studies to help move Nigeria forward.
He admonished them to uphold good values and focus on their studies as well as be good ambassadors of their country.
Mamman congratulated the awardees and explained that Nigeria was investing a lot in them and expecting that the returns of the investment would be noticeable in their coming back to help move their nation forward.
The Minister, while stressing that the awardees were few out of thousands who secured the opportunity, urged the students not to take the opportunity for granted.
Speaking through his representative and Director of Tertiary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Rakiya Gambo Iliyasu, the minister advised the scholars to ensure they abide by the laws of their host country as well as remembering to be their brother’s keeper.
“Most importantly, you need to make your presence known to the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow. This is very necessary based on our experiences from Ukraine.,” he added.
Mamman said, “Your selection as scholars is part of a broader plan of deepening the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which ensures that brilliant Nigerians, especially those that cannot afford to study programmes that are not readily available in Nigeria, are supported to get necessary knowledge, skills and competence that would be useful in Nigeria’s development agenda.
“I am happy to inform you that despite the global economic meltdown, the number of our development partners have Increased and many of them now offer scholarship to Nigeria.
” As you prepare to travel out, ensure to uphold and eschew good – values, focus on your studies and be a good ambassador of your country.
” I therefore need to advise you not to see this as uncontrolled freedom to do things that would be a disgrace to you, your parents and the country. Nigeria is investing a lot in you and expects that the returns of the investment will manifest in your coming back to help move your nation forward.
“You must also strive to abide by the laws of your host country and remember to be your brother’s keeper. Most importantly, you need to make your presence known to the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow. This is very necessary based on our experiences in Ukraine.
“Your parents are also spending a lot of resources on you. Note that we all expect you to return to our dear Country at the end of your studies to assist Nigeria to become a better place by contributing your quota to its development, using your new knowledge and skills.
” I enjoin the parents of the awardees to always keep in prayers and encourage them with sound advice at all times. You are further advised to make your parents and Nigeria proud by being worthy Ambassadors in the country of your studies.”
