Communities across Kaduna State have commended the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa Gwabin, for initiating a free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration programme for indigent students, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Uba Sani’s Sustain Agenda.
Under the initiative, no fewer than 1,150 students drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state will benefit from free JAMB registration.
The programme is designed to expand access to tertiary education for children from poor and vulnerable backgrounds, particularly those in communities affected by banditry and other forms of violent crime.
At least 50 beneficiaries are expected to emerge from each local government area, bringing the total number of beneficiaries across the state to 1,150.
Residents have described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that it will ease the financial burden on struggling families while opening new educational opportunities for young people.
Many believe the scheme will contribute meaningfully to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Jacob Ibrahim, a resident of Zonkwa in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, praised the Minister for the gesture, describing it as laudable and compassionate.
He said the initiative reflects General Musa’s commitment to service, noting that his leadership record as Chief of Defence Staff and now as Minister of Defence has earned him broad support across political, ethnic, and religious divides.
“Almost everyone has set aside political and tribal differences to support him, as well as the administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani,” Ibrahim said.
Also reacting, Hon. Mohammed Ibrahim Soba, a politician from Soba Local Government Area, described the programme as a significant bridge-building effort.
He noted that such an intervention had not been witnessed in a long time in Kaduna State and expressed confidence that the initiative, coming from a minister of southern Kaduna origin, would further complement Governor Uba Sani’s drive toward unity, inclusion, and sustainable development in the state.
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