Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has offered automatic employment to 54 postgraduate students who recently completed health-related courses in India under a state-funded foreign scholarship program.
The governor made this announcement during a reception and Iftar gathering organized in their honor following their return from Symbiosis International University, Pune, India, on Friday.
In a statement released on Sunday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, Yusuf assured the scholars of immediate employment within the state’s civil service.
“We have made all necessary arrangements to offer you automatic employment within the Kano State Civil Service,” he stated.
“Your appointment letters will be issued shortly through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Head of Service. You will also benefit from the newly implemented minimum wage of ₦71,000 in the state. We have improved allowances for healthcare workers to ensure a conducive working environment.”
The governor expressed disappointment that some beneficiaries of previous government-funded scholarships had sought employment outside Kano instead of contributing to the state’s development.
“I am surprised to see beneficiaries of government scholarships working outside Kano instead of contributing to the state’s development,” Yusuf said.
He urged the returning scholars to apply their expertise to improve healthcare services, particularly in addressing maternal mortality and sickle cell anaemia.
“Our investment in education and healthcare is aimed at strengthening service delivery in Kano, and retaining skilled professionals is crucial to achieving that goal,” he added.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustaining the foreign scholarship program introduced by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Yusuf noted that 418 out of 1,000 selected beneficiaries were sent to India and Uganda last year, all of whom have now completed their studies.
“Of the remaining students, 68 are still in India and are expected to return by April,” he said.
Among the 54 returning scholars, the group includes 36 medical doctors, 11 pharmacists, two anatomists, and a radiographer.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Scholarship Board, Kabiru Getso, the specialized courses undertaken by some of the students were the first of their kind in Kano and Northern Nigeria.
“This achievement places the state in a strong position to enhance healthcare services. All the students excelled academically, completing their programs with impressive grades and no carryovers,” Getso remarked.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr Yusuf Abdulmalik Abubakar, the group’s captain, expressed their gratitude for the life-changing opportunity.
“Words are not enough to convey our gratitude. We are deeply thankful for this opportunity,” Abubakar said.
