From Azi Nukpis, Jos
The National Youth Centre, North Central Office, located at Gwafan District in Jos North Local Government Area, came alive on Monday as Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, formally sent off 200 youths awarded government scholarships to study in India.
The colourful ceremony attracted a large turnout of students, parents, well-wishers and government officials. The beneficiaries are to study various courses in Medical Sciences, Engineering, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Sanskaran University, New Delhi.
Addressing the jubilant gathering, Governor Mutfwang charged the students to be worthy ambassadors of Plateau State and Nigeria, stressing the importance of discipline, integrity and hard work. He described the occasion as historic and dismissed allegations that the selection process was manipulated.
“I personally scrutinised the list of beneficiaries. Even when pressures came from different quarters, including the House of Assembly, I resisted all forms of influence,” the Governor said. “The selection was based strictly on merit and qualification.”
Governor Mutfwang noted with pride that Plateau State has produced some of the highest numbers of Vice Chancellors across the country, expressing confidence that the state would soon produce more PhD holders. He urged the students to remain steadfast during moments of temptation and to always remember their roots.
“What excites me most is that the list reflects our diversity—Christians and Muslims together. That is the new Plateau we are deliberately building,” he added.
He concluded by praying for the students’ safety and success, urging them to return home with honour and blessings.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kachallom Gang, described the initiative as unprecedented in the history of Plateau State, noting that never before had a governor sponsored 200 students abroad at once. She reminded the beneficiaries that excellence is a habit, not a destination, and encouraged them to face challenges with determination and the Plateau spirit of unity in diversity.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the NDLEA, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Ujah of Anaguta. The Governor, accompanied by his Deputy and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, later took group photographs with the students.
The event was attended by members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, political appointees, parents and well-wishers, who expressed gratitude through songs and prayers for the Governor and the Plateau State Government.