North East Development Commission-Education Endorsement Fund (NEDC-EEF) said it will sponsor over 5,000 indigenes of the zone.
Acting Chairperson of the Fund, Hajia Asmau Mohammed, who made the disclosure in Gombe State on Thursday, said the fortunate ones would be sponsored in science and arts.
The beneficiaries were drawn from across the region.
According to her, 4,953 undergraduates, 102 Post Graduates and 42 PhDs would enjoy the full scholarship.
Asmau, who represented North West in the commission added that 1,800 teachers in the zone have been trained to improve their skills for better competence.
She said: “I am pleased to inform you that the Fund early this year commenced the implementation of its planned programs. Already, 1,800 teachers of the Basic Education segment from the six states of the North East, have been trained to improve their skills so as to impart knowledge in their respective areas of competence,” adding that another batch of 1,800 including school administrators will soon be selected across the states for the same training.
Similarly, she noted that “115 schools have been selected with contracts awarded for the construction of one block of three classrooms each to be adorned with Instructional and learning materials.”
The Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali said the commission is reconstructing the Gombe-Abba-Kirfi road in Bauchi State in order to enhance socio-economic activities between the two states.
According to him, “In addition, towards meeting the health needs of the people in the region, the Commission is donating a 500KVA generator set to the Federal Medical Centre (FTH) to promote efficient healthcare services through uninterrupted power supply.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Jatau commended the commission for it’s various intervention in the state but added that more still needs to be done to improve the lives of the North East people.
“We thank you for all that you have done but like Oliver Twist we are still asking for more so that the region can be completely lifted out of its myriads of problems,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NEDC, Muhammad Alkali noted that the commission trained and equipped 198 Gombe indigenes in various ICT programme including graphics, computer operations and desktop publishing with starter kits, adding that the commission also donated 500KVA generator to the Federal Medical Center (FTH).