He also announced automatic scholarship to all the first class graduates to pursue their masters degree programme in any university of their choice henceforth.
In addition, Mark extended the scholarship to 109 physically challenged students, one each from all the senatorial districts of the country.
This category of recipient would be nominated by his or her representative in the Senate.
A total of 9,249 students have so far received the scholarship in the David Mark Scholarship Scheme, which started in 2005.
Over N150 million naira has so far been disbursed for the scholarship scheme by Mark.
Distributing the cheques to the awardees in his Otukpo country home at the weekend, Mark noted that education remains the undisputed legacy any body, group or government can bequeath to the younger generation.
According to Mark: "I am very passionate about the education of our youths because I believe that with good education, the people can be liberated and overcome the twin problem of poverty and disease.
"I am of the strong conviction that a lot of the social vices in our society today - armed robbery, kidnapping and violence - would have no place in our society if people are properly educated."
Mark stated that a Board of Trustees is already in place to manage the scheme to guarantee its sustenance even after him.
He therefore pleaded with students to distance themselves from any anti-social behaviour capable of undermining their bright future as leaders of tomorrow.
His wife, Helen, urged girls in the state to take advantage of DMSS to get education because it is the only way they can be relevant in the society, adding: "Educating a girl or a woman is sine qua non to educating the society."
She added: "What senator Mark seeks to achieve through the DMSS is not to provide the fish but to teach the youths how to fish so that they can fend for themselves and become useful citizens."
Chairman of the BOT, Prof. James Alachi, said the 2011/2012 awardees include 14 gifted girls, seven special awardees, as well as 234 orphans and vulnerable children in the primary and secondary schools.
Alachi counseled the beneficiaries to justify the awards by excelling in their academic works.
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