By Ijeoma Obioma in Makurdi.
In what could be described as a life-changing moment for many young Nigerians, 50 indigent students from Benue South Senatorial District have been given a rare opportunity to pursue higher education abroad under the newly launched Senator Abba Moro Foreign Scholarship Program.
What makes this initiative stand out is not just the promise of a fully funded overseas degree, but the unconventional selection method—an open spinning lottery system—that introduced an element of luck to the pursuit of academic dreams.
Gathered under the watchful eyes of traditional rulers, student leaders, politicians, and excited parents, hundreds of shortlisted students waited anxiously as the spinning process randomly selected the final 50 recipients from a pool of over 350 eligible candidates.
The event, held on Wednesday in Otukpo, the heart of the senatorial district, was marked by cheers and prayers.
Senator Abba Moro, represented by Chief George Alli, said the scholarship targets secondary school leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds across the district’s nine local government areas.
He said that the programme received over 750 applications, with applicants undergoing a screening process before the final lottery draw.
“This initiative is about giving hope. The transparency of the process reflects our commitment to fairness and equal opportunity for all, regardless of political or social affiliation,” Alli stated.
The Senator’s approach—blending merit-based screening with a transparent lottery—was hailed by community leaders and monarchs as a bold and inclusive strategy in reaching those who need it most.
Och’Otukpo Odu, HRH John Eimonye, hailed the program, calling it a “symbol of true empowerment,” and encouraged unselected students not to lose hope but to reapply in the next edition.
Also speaking, the Ad’utu Obi, HRH Dr. Chris Ijale, commended the inclusion of children from various political backgrounds, describing the initiative as a hallmark of true representation.
“This is leadership without bias. Senator Moro is clearly working for the people, not just his party.”
Former Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Egli Ahubi, and Makurdi PDP Chairman, Mr. Paul Tion, both lauded the initiative as a life-transforming intervention that would elevate not only the selected students but the region as a whole.
Programme consultant, Mr. Douglas Alli, revealed that this year’s selection focused on science-related courses, with each local government contributing four beneficiaries and three reserves.
For many of the selected students, this scholarship is more than just an academic opportunity—it is a gateway to a future they could only dream of. For the communities they come from, it is a reason to believe again.
