The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has celebrated 11 beneficiaries of its 2023/2024 Post Graduate Scholarship Programme, who graduated with distinctions from the Coventry University in the United Kingdom.
The NDDC managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, led a delegation of the commission to rejoice with the students during their graduation.
In Ogbuku’s delegation were the Senate Committee Chairman on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong; the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Director of Education Health and Social Services, Dr George, Uzonwanne; the Director of Legal Services, Dr Steve Ighomuaye and the Director Education, Mrs. Idara Akpabio.
Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the achievement was a demonstration of the commission’s commitment to the scholarship scheme and a celebration of academic excellence.
He said the commission was serious with its human capital development programmes, noting that education was the most powerful weapon for changing the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.
He said: “I am very happy to be in Coventry to celebrate our scholars. Their outstanding performance confirms the transparent process through which the beneficiaries were selected. It is remarkable that 11 of the students graduated with distinction in Coventry University.”
In his remarks, NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, said that the scholars had justified their inclusion in the programme.
He noted that the Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme, which was started in 2010, was meant to equip Niger Delta youths with advanced training and skills.
Iyaye said that the NDDC was pursuing improved investments in the educational sector as part of plans to ensure that the youths were gainfully employed.
The statement quoted the Senate Committee Chairman on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong as saying: “This ceremony is especially unique, as all 200 of the scholars from the 2023 programme performed exceedingly well with 11 students from the batch earning a distinction and coming top of their various programmes.
“This is a testament to the recent review of the selection process of beneficiaries of the programme which is transparent and merit-based. I commended the NDDC Board and Management for sustaining the scholarship scheme.
“Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Education Loan Fund and at that occasion, he remarked that education is the greatest weapon to be used to fight poverty. I couldn’t agree more.
“This is a testament to the recent review of the selection process of beneficiaries of the programme which is transparent and merit-based. I commended the NDDC Board and Management for sustaining the scholarship scheme.
“Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Education Loan Fund and at that occasion, he remarked that education is the greatest weapon to be used to fight poverty. I couldn’t agree more.
