By: Segun Babatunde, Bauchi
Some parents in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state have commended Senator Shehu Buba representing Bauchi South at the Senate for paying the 2023/2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fees for 150 children in the area.
The parents made the commendation in Toro on Tuesday at the end of the Computer Based Test (CBT) training, organized for the students by the senator.
According to them, the gesture would not be easily forgotten as it came just at the time they were struggling to make ends meet and could hardly sort for the payment.
One of the parents, Yakubu Baka expressed happiness that his son, Isa Yakubu was one of the students that benefited from the gesture.
“I am happy that my son is among those who were chosen even though I had the intention of paying but I haven’t until the senator came to my rescue.
“My son wouldn’t have gotten the privilege to write the exams this year, if not for senator Shehu Buba and I’m grateful to him for this wonderful gesture,” he said.
Another parent, Yusuf Sambo, said they had many children but when a relief like this is extended to any of them, it should be appreciated.
“The day I heard Sen. Shehu Buba was going to pay for their computer training and jamb examination fee. I was so excited because if you have five children and someone says he has paid for one or two, it’s a thing of Joy.
I’m grateful and urge all the children to read hard and never take this kind gesture for granted.
“This computer training they had is another skill acquisition, even if you have a degree. So, with this, he has done a great Job here and we wish him the best and God’s blessings,” he prayed.
Similarly, Mr Suleiman Gidado, Malawa Village Head, said this was the first time a senator would be paying for the UTME fees of 150 children in the LGA.
He called on the students not to misuse the opportunity given to them by reading hard and pass with flying colours.
Mr Ibrahim Mato, Senior Legislative Aide to the senator said that the gesture was purely extended to the indigent parents who may not have had the financial capability to pay the fees for their children.
According to him, the training was a laudable one especially when the world is now a global village.
“If you don’t know how to operate a computer, you are left behind and will not progress academically and this is one of the reasons why the Senator initiated this programme for you even after paying your UTME fees,” he said.
Also, Engr. Musa Idi, one of the Programme Supervisors, said that the students were given computer based training so as to pass the examination saying it was important for them to justify the training by passing the exam.
He said this is because the senator did not only pay for their fees but also promised to sponsor those that pass the UTME examination throughout their university education.
