Thirty students from Taraba Central Senatorial District have departed Nigeria for India to pursue various academic programmes under a scholarship scheme sponsored by the Senator representing the district, Senator Haruna Manu.
The scholarship, which covers tuition, accommodation, and other academic expenses, is part of the Senator’s educational support initiative aimed at empowering youths through access to quality education abroad.
Speaking at the departure ceremony in Jalingo, Senator Manu said the gesture was borne out of his belief that education remains the foundation for meaningful development.
“Our goal is to build human capacity that can drive innovation and leadership in Taraba and Nigeria as a whole. Education is the best investment we can give our youths,” he said.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to serve as good ambassadors of their communities and make the most of the opportunity to acquire knowledge that will contribute to national development.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Senator, describing the opportunity as life-changing. One of them, Aisha Ibrahim, who will be studying computer science, said, “This scholarship has given me a chance to fulfill my dream of studying abroad. I will work hard to make my community proud.”
However, the scheme has also attracted public debate over its transparency and fairness. In a widely circulated commentary titled “Education Without Fairness Is Politics in Disguise,” a public affairs analyst, Nasir Ahmed Gwaska, commended the initiative but called for more openness in the selection process.
According to Gwaska, while the scholarship is commendable, questions remain about how beneficiaries were chosen, the inclusiveness of the process, and the sustainability of the program beyond the Senator’s tenure.
“Every constituency within Taraba Central deserves fair representation in the list of beneficiaries. Leadership is not only about doing good, but doing it rightly and for everyone’s benefit,” he wrote.
He urged Senator Manu to ensure transparency and equitable distribution of opportunities across Gassol, Bali, Gashaka, Kurmi, and Sardauna local government areas.
Observers say the Senator’s initiative aligns with growing efforts by lawmakers to promote education through constituency-based interventions, but also highlights the need for accountability and long-term planning in such schemes.
The 30 students are expected to begin their studies immediately upon arrival in India.
