The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday awarded scholarships to 14 indigent students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The beneficiaries include children of deceased members of the union.
The branch chairman of the union, Professor Nuradeen Almustapha said the scholarships were in two categories, the national headquarters and Danfodiyo branch scholarship.
According to him, previously one indigent student from each of the about 100 universities nationwide benefited from the ASUU national headquarters award but this year the number was increased two
“They also increased the amount from N100,000 to N200,000 to each of the beneficiaries,” he said
Almustapha said the local chapter of the union also increased this year’s beneficiaries of its scholarship to 12 from nine, just as they increased the amount from N40,000 to N50,000 because of the current hardship in the country.
One of the beneficiaries, James Glory Jumoke, a 300-level student of sociology at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto said her mother has been borrowing money to pay school fees for her four children since their father left about 10 years ago.
Jumoke is one of the 14 indigent students of the university who were awarded scholarships by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday.
Jumoke, who was overwhelmed with joy, said she was one of the four children of her mother.
“Our father left us 10 years ago and since then our mother shoulders our responsibilities.
“She has been borrowing money to pay our school fees. I am beyond glad. I am short of word to thank ASUU.
“When I told my mom about this she cried profusely. I will work hard to justify the gesture,” she said
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Lawal Bilbis urged the students to use the fund judiciously.
