Kaduna — The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria has awarded scholarship to deserving pupils of primary and secondary schools in Zaria.

A press statement issued yesterday by the NARICT's public relations officer, Bala Aliyu, said five best students were chosen after a thorough assessment by the institute's Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.

"During the scholarship award ceremony, the Director General of the institute, Professor Idris Bugaje, said there it is necessary to assist and motivate students through scholarship, adding that the award is just a starting point, though the institute is experiencing paucity of funds.

He said the NARICT will soon provide a local solution to school laboratories by using local alternatives to manufacture chemicals and equipment. Professor Bugaje said the NARICT is committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, saying that the host communities have already benefited from the policy where 80 per cent of junior staff employed recently are from the communities," Aliyu said in the statement.

Those who received the scholarship, according to Aliyu, are Umma Ibrahim from L.E.A. Unguwar Rimi, Khadija Ahmed, L.E.A. Kallon Kura Model Primary School, Abdussalam Umar, L.E.A. Samaru and Shema'u Aliyu, L.E.A. Basawa Model Primary School.

Others are Sa'adiya Bilyaminu, G.S.S Jama'a, Hauwa'u Yusha'u, G.G.S.S Dogon Bauchi, Salamatu Bala, G.G.S.S, Samaru and Amina Haliru, G.G.S.S, Basawa.