Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah has awarded a total of N2.9 million to 29 students who scored 300 marks and above in the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations across Yobe State.
The gesture, aimed at motivating students, boosting morale, and uplifting education in the state, saw each beneficiary receive N100,000.
Barrister Tumsah, represented by Hajiya Adama Balla, emphasized the significance of the award, particularly for students with disabilities. “To our extraordinary persons with disabilities, your admission into an educational institution is not merely a personal achievement — it is a testament to the power of resilience,” she stated.
Balla reiterated Barrister Tumsah’s constant reminder that “disability does not mean inability,” noting that the students’ successes affirm this truth.
She added that by upholding the aspirations of the students, financial barriers are removed, making a “bold declaration – that your potential is boundless.”
She described the beneficiaries as pioneers whose journeys would inspire countless others to dream, persevere, and succeed.
Balla further explained that the ceremony represents a broader commitment by Barrister Tumsah to the education of the underserved child and the empowerment of grassroots communities, a belief rooted in the transformative power of learning.
Addressing the young women beneficiaries, Balla highlighted their achievements as “living proof that investment in girls’ education delivers profound and lasting impact.” She stressed that an educated girl transforms not only her own life but also the future of her family, community, and nation. “Let no one ever convince you that your place is not in the lecture hall. Your place is wherever your ambition and intellect take you,” she declared.
In his remarks, Kachalla Maina, a Member representing Machina Constituency in the Yobe State House of Assembly and a parent of one of the beneficiaries, lauded Barrister Tumsah’s initiative.
Maina acknowledged that while 29 students were selected, the number of high scorers was “grossly inadequate,” a situation he noted was not peculiar to Yobe but a nationwide issue. He referenced JAMB’s public acknowledgment and apology for widespread poor performance in this year’s examination.
“We are deeply appreciative of the kind gesture by Kashim Musa Tumsa. This is an incredible and commendable initiative,” Maina said. He commended Barrister Tumsah for being the first individual to donate such a substantial amount – N2.9 million – awarding each student N100,000, describing it as highly commendable both personally and philanthropically.
Maina expressed hope that other well-meaning individuals, philanthropists, and stakeholders within and outside the state would emulate this example, adding that such contributions would “certainly go a long way in motivating students to work harder and achieve greater academic success in the future.”
