Vice chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State, Professor Owunari Georgewil, has commended the chief executive officer (CEO) of Lekki Gardens Limited, Mr. Richard Nyong, for awarding scholarships to 200 students of the institution.
Georgewil spoke at the presentation of the scholarship awards to the beneficiaries last Friday at the institution’s campus.
He said, “On behalf of the Senate, management, academic and non-academic staff, parents and the entire students of UNIPORT, I would like to express our profound appreciation to Dr. Richard Nyong, the CEO of Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, our illustrious alumnus, whom we are very proud of, for this gesture of full four-year scholarship awards to 200 students to empower them to accomplish their academic goals.”
The vice chancellor charged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity not only by justifying the scholarship but by striving to raise the bar of excellence in their academic pursuit. He also admonished them to be forward-thinking about reciprocating the gesture in the future.
He called on other well-meaning alumni of the University to emulate Dr. Richard Nyong in giving back to their Alma mater by contributing their own quota towards the development and upliftment of the institution.
Nyong said the scholarship is part of his personal effort to give birth to society in line with his philosophy that everyone has a role to play in building society and that everyone deserves a chance to have access to education to the university level which will help to shape his or her future.
He said he announced the scholarship two years ago as part of activities marking his 4oth birthday, but noted that the implementation was stalled by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the long ASUU strike. He expressed delight at the presentation of the scholarships to the beneficiaries.
