Ex-lawmaker wants special scholarship for Gbagyi youths

A former member of the House of Representatives from Niger State, Hon Mikail Bmitosahi, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider providing special scholarship for Gbagyi youths.

Bmitosahi, who represented Chanchaga Federal Constituency, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said before the relocation of the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja, the Gbagyis were predominantly farmers with vast land from parts of Niger, Kogi, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

“When the Federal Capital was finally relocated from Lagos to Abuja, the Gbagyis forfeited 70 per cent of their land to the Federal Capital Territory.

“That act of sacrifice affected the farming occupation of the people because there was no enough farm lands for them to cultivate, make a living and sponsor their children’s education.

“The undeniable fact is that our people need to be educated; please, the Federal Government should establish a special scholarship scheme for the Gbagyi people to help them to acquire formal education.

“Our women also need skill acquisition; even our youths, it is not every one of them whose destiny is predicated on education,” Bmitosahi said.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to formulate a deliberate policy on scholarship and skill acquisition to help the Gbagyis contribute more to the development of the country.
Bmitosahi, who is also the Chief of Staff to the Niger State governor, reiterated that the Gbagyi people are peaceful, accommodating and possess rich cultural heritage.

He maintained that the unity of the country was not negotiable, adding that the Federal Capital Territory had become home for all Nigerians.