Bauchi APC Youth Group Offers Scholarships to 60 Children

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Parliament in Bauchi has announced plans to sponsor the education of 60 underprivileged children for one full year. The initiative forms part of activities marking the 60th birthday of Vice President Kashim Shettima and was disclosed yesterday by the group’s chairman, Mr. Kabiru Garba Kobi, during a briefing with journalists in Bauchi.

Kobi explained that the decision to support exactly 60 children was intentional. It mirrors the number of years the Vice President has attained and serves as a gesture of gratitude to Allah for Shettima’s life and continued service to the nation. He described the programme as both a birthday tribute and a practical contribution to the education of vulnerable young people in the state.

“As our esteemed leader marks his 60th birthday, we have decided to sponsor the education of 60 children, reflecting the number of years God has blessed him with, in his honour,” Kobi said. “We are proud of his achievements and his contributions to national development. He has remained a unifying force in the North-East and an important voice in the progress of Nigeria.”

The APC Youth Parliament chairman used the occasion to reflect on Shettima’s public service career. He highlighted the Vice President’s intellectual depth, courage, strategic foresight, humility and consistent commitment to the public good. Kobi noted that these qualities had defined Shettima’s journey from earlier political roles through to his current position as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Particular praise was reserved for Shettima’s partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in driving the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Kobi also pointed to the Vice President’s work as chairman of the National Economic Council, where he coordinates economic policy discussions between the federal government and the states. According to the youth leader, this role has demonstrated Shettima’s experience and deep understanding of national economic issues.

Kobi expressed confidence that the Vice President would continue to apply his knowledge and expertise in support of President Tinubu and in advancing the broader interests of Nigerians. He offered prayers for Shettima’s continued good health, wisdom, strength and divine guidance as he serves the country.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the APC Youth Parliament chairman stated that President Tinubu would have no reason to regret selecting Shettima as his running mate. He expressed strong confidence that the Vice President would play a significant role in the party’s electoral success. Kobi said youths and other stakeholders across the North-East regard Shettima as a dependable leader and pledged the group’s commitment to mobilising support for the APC in the region.

He further expressed optimism that a renewed mandate for the Tinubu-Shettima administration would allow the Federal Government to consolidate ongoing reforms, accelerate development and expand opportunities for young people and women. Kobi described the Vice President as a patriotic and visionary Nigerian whose resilience, humility and dedication to public service continue to inspire the younger generation across the country.

The scholarship scheme itself is framed as a direct response to the educational needs of underprivileged children in Bauchi. By covering school-related costs for one year, the APC Youth Parliament aims to ease the financial burden on families who might otherwise struggle to keep their children in school. The choice of 60 beneficiaries creates a clear symbolic link to Shettima’s milestone birthday while delivering tangible support to local communities.

Education remains a critical challenge in many parts of northern Nigeria, where poverty, insecurity and limited infrastructure often interrupt schooling. Initiatives that provide even short-term financial relief can help keep children enrolled and reduce the risk of dropout. The Bauchi APC Youth Parliament’s programme fits into a wider pattern of political and community groups using personal milestones as opportunities for social intervention.

Kobi’s remarks also underscored the political dimension of the gesture. By tying the scholarships to Shettima’s birthday and publicly reaffirming support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, the group positioned the initiative as both a developmental act and a statement of loyalty. The emphasis on youth mobilisation in the North-East suggests the parliament intends to convert goodwill into organised political support ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The announcement comes at a time when the APC continues to consolidate its presence in the region. Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, retains strong recognition in the North-East, and local groups frequently reference his record when discussing leadership and development. The Youth Parliament’s decision to mark his 60th birthday with educational support for children aligns with this narrative of service and continuity.

Details regarding the exact selection criteria for the 60 children, the specific schools involved, and the precise package of support (tuition, books, uniforms or other costs) were not fully outlined in the initial briefing. Kobi indicated that the programme would be implemented as part of the broader birthday commemorative activities. Further information on beneficiary selection and disbursement is expected as the initiative moves from announcement to execution.

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In his closing comments, the APC Youth Parliament chairman returned to the themes of gratitude and inspiration. He portrayed the scholarship scheme as a collective expression of appreciation for Shettima’s life and leadership, while also presenting it as a model of how political groups can channel celebratory moments into practical community benefit. The 60 scholarships, he suggested, represent both a numerical tribute and a modest but meaningful investment in the future of Bauchi’s underprivileged children.

As the programme takes shape, its success will be measured by how effectively the support reaches the intended beneficiaries and whether it encourages similar education-focused interventions from other political and civic organisations in the state and the wider North-East. For now, the APC Youth Parliament has placed education at the centre of its public response to Vice President Shettima’s 60th birthday, linking a personal milestone to a concrete opportunity for 60 young learners.