By Mohammed Baba Busu
The Mohammed Ndarani Humanitarian Foundation, through its Women Wing, has donated N100 million to sponsor the education of indigent students across the Niger South Senatorial Zone.
The scholarship intervention targets students whose parents are financially disadvantaged and currently studying in various institutions of higher learning as part of deliberate efforts to expand access to education and reduce the burden on vulnerable families.
Beneficiaries of the educational support were selected from Bida, Lavun, Edati, Mokwa, Agaie, Lapai, Katcha and Gbako Local Government Areas of the state, ensuring equitable spread across the senatorial zone.
The cheque was formally presented to members of the Steering Committee of Women in Politics and Inclusive Governance, under the exemplary leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, by Alhaji Mohammed Ndarani SAN, during a ceremony held on Saturday in Bida.
Speaking after the presentation, the Founder of the foundation and renowned legal luminary, Alhaji Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, Hukunchi Nupe and Hausaland, said the initiative was part of his personal and collective contribution to reposition education as a catalyst for sustainable development.
Ndarani explained that education remained the most effective tool for lifting communities out of poverty, stressing that no society can attain meaningful progress without deliberate investment in human capital development.
He explained that the scholarship scheme was designed to support students from underprivileged backgrounds who possess the determination and capacity to succeed academically but are constrained by economic hardship.
According to him, the foundation deliberately focused on tertiary education because of its multiplier effect on families, communities and the wider society, adding that empowering one student has the potential to uplift generations.
Ndarani further stated that the initiative aligns with his lifelong belief that leadership must be anchored on service, compassion and inclusiveness, especially towards women and young people who constitute the backbone of future leadership.
He emphasised that philanthropy should not be about publicity, but about creating opportunities, restoring hope and giving people the platform to realise their God-given potential.
The learned silk stressed that the foundation was established to contribute to societal growth through humanitarian efforts.
“I’m so delighted to see that all the students who benefited from the founation’s scholarship scheme were overwhelmed and in addition this foundation have been sponsoring JAMB, paying for WAEC for some students across Zone A and across Niger, and as well been drilling boreholes for many communities. So this foundation is deeply on ground for service to humanity,” Ndarani stated.
The legal icon reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the scholarship programme and called on other well-meaning Nigerians to complement government efforts by investing in education as a shared national responsibility.
The Coordinator, President General of CAGRAT and National Chairman, Nupe Development Forum (Nupe-Defo), Engr. Muhammadu Dagaci, stressed that credible leadership and good governance can only be achieved when citizens actively participate in building consensus and working collectively towards shared goals.
Dagachi, who is also the Zarumi Agaie, described the intervention as a generational contribution by a philanthropist who truly understood the plight of the poor.
He explained that the scholarship was carefully targeted at students from economically disadvantaged families, noting that due diligence was conducted to ensure only deserving beneficiaries were selected.
The CAGRAT National President said the selection process was conducted with transparency and sensitivity, bearing in mind the prevailing economic difficulties in the country, describing the exercise as largely successful.
He disclosed that each beneficiary would receive the N100,000, with funds distributed evenly across the local government areas within the senatorial district.
According to him, the foundation adopted a bank-to-bank electronic transfer system, ensuring that funds are paid directly into individual students’ accounts, thereby eliminating intermediaries and guaranteeing accountability.
Dagachi commended the efficiency and effectiveness of the process, stating that it reflects the founder’s commitment to integrity and proper stewardship of resources.
He described the scholarship scheme as a deliberate effort at legacy building.
The coordinator stressed that legacy outlives individuals, adding that investing in education remains the most enduring form of legacy because it facilitates generational succession, knowledge transfer and professional continuity.
He lamented that the lack of commitment to legacy building and mentorship by many privileged individuals has contributed to global socio-economic crises, urging leaders and philanthropists to consciously support initiatives that secure the future of the next generation.
Dagachi commended Ndarani for his foresight in assisting the less privileged in the society, while appealing to the people of the zone to support Ndarani’s senatorial ambition for the zone to move forward.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Event Steering Committee, Barr. Maryam Mohammed-Ndarani, stated that her husband is committed to the welfare of the people, particularly the less privileged in the society.
She assured that the women wing of the foundation would do everything humanly possible to empower women to alleviate their suffering.
In her remarks, the Secretary of the Steering Committee, Hajiya Safiya Dagachi-Muhammad, lauded Ndarani ‘s humanitarian foundation for supporting the plight of women and youths.
She disclosed that the foundation has assisted so many women cooperative groups in the zone to bolster their businesses.
Dagachi-Muhammad disclosed that the women wing of the foundation honoured Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago as the exemplary governor for women in politics for his unwavering dedication to empowering female and promoting inclusive leadership.
According to her, Umaru-Bago stands out as an exceptional and visionary leader whose administration has significantly advanced the inclusion and empowerment of women in politics, strategic appointments, and strong support for women focused initiatives, hence his recent declaration that women are elected as vice chairmen in all the 25 local government areas across the state.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the APC Zonal Vice Chairman in Zone A, Alhaji Mohammed Mini Bida, former APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Mohammed Shinkafa, Shinkafa Nupe; prominent APC members from across the state; past and present local government chairmen from Niger South Senatorial Zone; vice chairmen; women leaders; traditional rulers, and various students union leaders.
