Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed that only the most vulnerable and academically qualified youths be selected for government sponsorship into degree programmes in Piloting, Aeronautical Engineering and related fields.
The governor issued the directive on Tuesday in Maiduguri during a meeting with Mr. Issac Balami, founder of the Issac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM).
Zulum, who emphasised transparency and merit as the key criteria, said the scholarship scheme must focus strictly on youths who have the potential but lack the financial capacity to pursue the highly expensive aeronautical courses.
He stated that neither relatives nor associates of government officials would be considered, adding that he will personally vet the final list before approval.
The governor said officials from the Ministry of Education and the State Scholarship Board would interface with the university to work out modalities for selecting eligible candidates. He expressed appreciation to Balami for the opportunities being extended to Borno youths.
Earlier, Balami announced that IBUAM would offer free training to an initial set of Borno indigenes in Aircraft Planning and Aircraft Technology as part of efforts to give back to society.
He said one candidate from each of the 27 local government areas of the state would benefit from the training, noting that his gesture was inspired by a scholarship he received from the Borno State Government years ago, which enabled his own career growth in aeronautics.
