Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has described his investment in education, particularly scholarships for underprivileged children, as his proudest achievement in life.
Mr Kwankwaso said his scholarship programmes, which began during his time in government and continued afterwards, had helped disadvantaged students gain access to higher education and improve their lives.
The former Minister of Defence stated this on Wednesday at an education fair organised to mark his 70th birthday at his residence on Miller Road, Kano.
The event was held under the theme, “Advancing Education and Expanding Opportunities for the Next Generation.”
Mr Kwankwaso, who is now the National Democratic Congress, NDC, vice-presidential candidate, said his administration invested significantly in education at all levels, from primary to tertiary.
He expressed appreciation to representatives of tertiary institutions and other dignitaries who attended the event, stressing that education remained one of his major priorities.
“I am so happy that we have done so much, especially in the area of education, from primary to tertiary level when we were in government.
“Even now that we are not in government, we have done a lot. Investment in education is the proudest achievement of my life.
“Our scholarship programmes have helped children of underprivileged families become somebody. They have developed to higher levels in life,” he said.
The education fair featured representatives of Mewar International University and beneficiaries of scholarship programmes associated with the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Speaking on behalf of the university, Dr Mary-Anne Chioma Ugwu said Mr Kwankwaso’s financial commitment to education had created opportunities for students across Nigeria, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, cultural or political backgrounds.
Mrs Ugwu, who represented the university’s Dean of Student Affairs, said the scholarship programme supported 148 students annually, comprising two female and two male beneficiaries from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
She said the initiative reflected Mr Kwankwaso’s belief that every Nigerian deserved an opportunity to acquire education and contribute to national development.
“Through his personal commitments, generosity and financial investment in education, that seed has grown into a remarkable initiative, creating opportunities for young Nigerians across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” she said.
Mrs Ugwu said the scholarship programme demonstrated that leadership was not defined solely by the political office a person occupied but also by the lives transformed and opportunities created.
“What makes this gesture even more remarkable is that Engineer Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to human development, despite not currently holding a political office,” she said.
She described the initiative as an investment in national unity, saying education could help break the cycle of poverty, bridge social divides and promote national integration.
Another university representative praised Mr Kwankwaso’s influence, saying students from different parts of the country frequently identified themselves as beneficiaries of the Kwankwasiyya scholarship initiative.
The representative urged the former governor to extend his contributions to national development beyond Kano State.
One of the beneficiaries, Abdulrahman Bello, who travelled from Zaria, Kaduna State, said the students were grateful for the opportunities provided through the scholarship programme.
Mr Bello said education remained fundamental to human development, adding that the beneficiaries recognised the responsibility that came with receiving the scholarships.
He pledged that the students would remain good ambassadors of the foundation and contribute positively to society.
The event brought together political leaders, representatives of educational institutions and scholarship beneficiaries to celebrate Mr Kwankwaso’s 70th birthday and highlight the role of education in expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.