Business
RSSDA: 300 Rivers Indigenes Get Overseas Scholarships
About 300 indigenes of Rivers State have so far qualified for the 2009/2010 Rivers State Governor’s Special Overseas and Nigerian scholarship programme.
The Executive Director of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr Bola Ogunseye who said this in an interview in Port Harcourt said the selection was done through a fair and transparent process.
Mr Ogunseye said that the agency received 30,000 applications for the scholarship programme, while 5000 applications were received online.
He explained that out of the 30,000 applicants, 19,000 were invited for aptitude test which accounts for 80 per cent score line, after which 586 applicants were invited for oral interview which comprised physically challenged persons and these accounted for 20 per cent score-line.
RSSDA Director however said that 10 per cent of those selected were based on absolute merit, while eight candidates were selected per local government area.
He also said that 15 persons with physical disabilities who were successful at the interview would either be trained in the best private universities in the country or sent abroad.
Mr Ogunseye said that the agency this time around placed emphasis on some key areas such as medicine, technology, engineering and other science related courses because of the dearth of manpower in these areas in the state.
He explained the philosophy behind the scheme in the following words, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, our governor having looked at the rather weak current situation of manpower development in the state has chosen this option as a form of accelerated intervention to help fill the yawning gap in high level and middle level professional manpower in the state”.
Mr Ogunseye said that the state chief executive is concerned that more Rivers indigenes should qualify for jobs in major oil establishments across the world.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
-
Politics5 days agoRivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension
-
Featured5 days agoPANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers
-
News5 days ago
KenPoly Governing Council Decries Inadequate Power Supply, Poor Infrastructure On Campus
-
News5 days agoFubara’s Return: Rivers Elders, Women Call For Unity, Hail Tinubu
-
News5 days agoFAAC Disburses N2.225trn For August, Highest In Nigeria
-
News5 days agoFG Ends Passport Production At Multiple Centres After 62 Years
-
Rivers5 days ago
RIVCHPP Mulls Plan For Universal Health Coverage In Rivers
-
Maritime1 day ago
Minister Tasks Academy On Thorough-Bred Professionals