Why we gave full educational scholarships to over 80 christian students – Islamic Society of Eggonland, Nasaraw
Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE) is a Nasarawa based Islamic organization in the Northern Nigeria that addresses issues bordering Eggon Muslims in their educational, spiritual, social, economy and political lives. They recently gave full educational scholarships to over 80 Christian students in Nigeria. Speaking to one of our correspondents in an exclusive interview, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Galle, the General Secretary Islamic Society of Eggonland has asserted that the primary reason for extending the scholarship to the people of other faith is to promote academic excellence in the Christian faitg and for better interfaith relationship for a tranquil national development.
He also added that ISE scholarships are to provide support to the children of the poor and to compliment good efforts in area of education that would translate into human capital development.
In his words he said further, “There are criteria that applicants need to follow to qualify for the scholarship. First, applicants must be in school a year before the scholarship calendar, must present the school payment receipt for the last academic calendar, must present admission letter and indigene certificate. The process is well documented on our website www.islamicsocietyofeggonland.org”.
Alhaji Umar breaks down the scholarship statistics as follows.
“This year we received more than 400 applications but 275 applicants were awarded which includes 89 Christian students.
Christian awardees according to the programme are 3 Diploma, 8 Health and Nursing, 16 NCE, 2 HND, 51 BSc,7 MSc, and 2 PhD students.
But in total we had, 13 MSc, 3 PGD, 188 BSc ,20 HND, 111 NCE, 38 Health and Nursing, and 25 for diploma students. These cut across people of different faiths and tribes across the country.”
He concluded by appealing for more public and private funding as well as partnership in areas of Human Capital Development program.