By Obiora Amarachi

FOR a scheme that was conceived primarily to assist indigent students in Benue South Senatorial Zone, the transformation of David Mark Scholarship Scheme, DMSS, to a foundation, has generated so much interest in Benue State.

Conceived in 2005 by the Senate President, Senator David Mark, to drive home his passion for education, the success recorded so far has prompted the need to expand its scope, so as to respond to the growing educational needs of the people.

Against that backdrop, DMSS which was recently renamed David Mark Scholarship Foundation, DMSF, has enlarged its various categories of scholarship. The groupings include; students of tertiary institutions, children of immediate past board members of DMSF, vulnerable children, among others.

Speaking on the impact DMSF has made in the past nine years, Mr. Enenche Oche, told Vanguard that many have found themselves in schools courtesy DMSF.

‘’For David Mark, the greatest thing a people or nation can bequeath to the succeeding generation is education which he believes remains the bedrock of development in any society. He believes education cures all societal ills including but not limited to violence, avarice, corruption, terrorism or kidnapping. A well educated man craves for a better society for all to live in peace and harmony.’’ He noted.

Accordingly, Oche said: ‘’His contemporaries may invest their resources and energy on sky scrappers, mansions or choice cars but he believes that no empowerment is greater than education. For Senator Mark there is no alternative to Education which is concerned with the act or process of acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement in preparing oneself or others for greater good.”