…11 scholars graduate with distinction
Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has underscored the need to celebrate academic excellence.
He assured that the Commission was very serious with its human capital development programmes, including the foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme.
According to a press release issued by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Ogbuku made the statement at the sidelines of the graduation ceremony of scholars from the scheme at Coventry University, United Kingdom.
Ogbuku was accompanied by the Senate Committee Chairman on NDDC, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong; the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; and the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne.
The Director of Legal Services, Dr. Steve Ighomuaye, and the Director of Education, Mrs. Idara Akpabio, were also in the delegation.
The NDDC boss, while speaking, reiterated that education was the most powerful weapon for changing the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.
“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,” he expressed.
Ogbuku said it is remarkable that 11 of the students graduated with distinction in Coventry University.
Also speaking, the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, said that the scholars had justified their inclusion in the programme.
Iyaye pointed out that the NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme, which began in 2010, was meant to equip Niger Delta youths with advanced training and skills.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, described the ceremony as unique, especially “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.”
According to him, “This is a testament to the recent review of the selection process of beneficiaries of the programme which is transparent and merit based.”
The federal lawmaker extolled the current NDDC board and management for sustaining the scholarship programme.
It was gathered that, every year, the NDDC sponsors an average of 200 scholars for postgraduate studies in tertiary institutions across the globe.
The scholars are expected to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to further the development of the region upon their return to Nigeria.
