Bolgatanga, Jan 4, GNA - A Retired Educationalist, Mr Robert Ajene, on Tuesday urged all northern students in the various tertiary institutions in the country to study hard to achieve high academic laurels, so as to bridge the educational gap between the north and the south.

He made the call during the Bolga, Nabdam, Bongo, and Tongo Students (BONABOTO) Union's maiden homecoming and national congress held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The theme for the occasion was "Youth Education, the future of BONABOTO."

Mr Ajene lamented over the marginalisation of northerners in education and the various fields of endeavours and blamed this on the colonial masters, saying that, in 1992 only 2.7 per cent of students from the three northern regions were offered admission into the three major universities at that time. " With the acquisition of education, it would empower you to create wealth for yourselves and help reduce poverty in the north", he stressed.

Mr Ajene further enjoined the northern students, who were financially sound to share with their colleagues, who were facing difficulties in their education.

He commended them for the formation of BONABOTO branches in the various tertiary institutions in the country and impressed upon them to always make it a homecoming habit every year.

The retired educationalist further impressed upon the students to fashion out strategies to help their younger brothers to also climb up to the tertiary level, citing organisation of extra-classes during holidays and also serving as role models for others to emulate. Prior to this, the students discussed topics such as Decentralization, The Role of Students in Poverty Reduction and Wealth Creation in the North, and the Structure of BONABOTO. Fun Games were also played and dinner served for those in attendance.