The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has granted award letters to 189 successful candidates under its Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme. The ceremony, held in Port Harcourt, River State on Thursday, saw Mr Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, handing over the letters to the prospective scholars.
Mr Pius Ughakpoteni, the Director of Corporate Affairs at the commission, revealed this in a statement.
Ebie emphasized the significance of the scholarship scheme within the commission’s human capital development program.
He stated, “The foreign post-graduate scholarship programme is an important component of our human capital development that seeks to use education to change fortunes of the region. Hence, we commend the successful candidates for their resilience as well as to the NDDC management for sustaining the scholarship programme.”
Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of NDDC, emphasized the transparent selection process undergone by the 189 successful candidates out of over 25,000 applicants. He encouraged the scholars to be exemplary ambassadors of Nigeria by dedicating themselves to their studies and excelling in their chosen fields.
Ogbuku assured the scholars that funds for tuition and accommodation would be promptly facilitated. He urged them to remain focused on their studies and strive to return to impact the Niger Delta and Nigeria positively.
Dr George Uzonwanne, Director of Education, Health, and Social Services at NDDC, emphasized the scheme’s aim to equip the youths of the Niger Delta with crucial knowledge and skills. He highlighted the rigorous selection process undertaken, beginning with 5,000 candidates taking a Computer Based Test and culminating in interviews.
He also praised Miss Omogbemi Olayemi from Ilaje in Ondo state as the best-performing candidate for the 2023/2024 NDDC foreign scholarship exercise.
In response, Olayemi expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, commending NDDC for the transparent selection process. She pledged to represent the country dutifully and make it proud.
NAN
