Former Senate President, Senator David Mark has awarded scholarships to over 2,100 students of higher institutions from the three senatorial zones of Benue State for the 2015/2016 academic session.
The yearly award which was facilitated by David Mark Scholarship Foundation, DMSF, also provided support to specified children in both primary and secondary schools including the physically challenged.
While speaking at the presentation ceremony in Otukpo, Mark said the scheme was his little way of encouraging the future leaders of the country to be educated and equipped to confront the challenge of leadership in the near future.
He charged the beneficiaries to encourage the sustenance of the scheme by shunning cultism, exam malpractice and all forms of social vices.
“Since education remains the bedrock of sustainable growth and development in every society, this foundation would continue to encourage, support and spur our children and future leaders to be well educated and sound in character,” he said.
Earlier, chairman of the DMSF, Prof. James Alachi stated that this year’s award was the 11th. in the series. He said a total sum of N50million would be given out to the students with each beneficiary taking home N20,000.
Alachi said among the awardees were four physically challenged students who got N500,000 same as some selected children while the only student from the state studying at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria got the sum N2.2million.
He stated that the scheme which was inaugurated during the 2005/2006 academic session had over time expanded in scope and size with a total of 16,533 students benefiting from the award.