By Musa Ubandawaki, SOKOTO

BUA Cement Sokoto Plant has awarded N40 million scholarships to 200 students across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, reaffirming its commitment to educational development and community empowerment as part of its corporate social responsibility.

The scholarship beneficiaries include 50 students from Sokoto State, 50 from Kebbi State, and 50 from Zamfara State, while an additional  special allocation of 50 students was given to the host community. In the disbursement breakdown, each of the three states is allocated N10 million, while another N10 million is dedicated to beneficiaries from host communities.

Speaking at the award ceremony on Tuesday, the Managing Director of BUA Cement, Engr. Yusuf Binji, represented by the Plant Director, Aminu Bashar, said the company places education at the centre of its social impact drive, describing it as “the fabric and premise of progress.” He noted that the award aims to support deserving students in achieving their academic aspirations and strengthening future human capital development.

He urged recipients to make good use of the opportunity by remaining committed to their studies, warning that performance and academic records would be monitored to ensure accountability and impact. He further disclosed that the scholarship scheme, which began in 2019, has continued in phases and was successfully executed in 2022 and 2023, with candidates selected through rigorous screening and interviews.

Representatives of Kebbi and Zamfara states, Yusuf Abubakar and Hajiya Rashida Usman, applauded BUA Cement for the gesture, assuring continued collaboration with the company to advance education and community welfare.

The Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Corporate Social Responsibility, Hon. Usman Fako, commended BUA Cement for its investment in human development, noting that the state would continue to support initiatives that enhance the well-being of its citizens.

Traditional ruler, Ubandoman Arkilla, Alhaji Aliyu Hassan, also appreciated the gesture and called on BUA Cement to expand employment opportunities for qualified indigenes from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, stressing that the region has capable manpower worthy of recruitment into the company.