Rivers State Scholarship: 154 Awardees Leave For UK, Monday

In order to promote sustainable quality education in Rivers State, 154 students at the undergraduate, masters and doctorate levels would leave for the United Kingdom from Monday.

At a ceremony to mark the departure of students which took place at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice Auditorium, yesterday, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi noted that the award of scholarships was a great step to promote quality education and provide manpower for different  sectors of the economy.

The governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Barr. Alice Nemi added that the state government in search for professional skills was doing this by awarding scholarships to deserving students of the state, and advised the awardees to use this opportunity judiciously.

In an address the chairman, Rivers State Scholarship Board, Dr Elechi Amadi said that the scholarship board had committed N1,033 million to overseas scholarships with the procurement of university admissions and visas for the students.

Dr. Amadi also stated that, “though over 85 per cent of our scholarships have gone to students studying in Nigeria, our foray into foreign institutions is informed partly by the regrettably low educational standards in Nigeria today and partly by the need for a healthy exposure for our children given the fact that the world is now a global village,” he stated.

Also speaking, the centre Manager, British Council, Port Harcourt, Mrs Patience Ezinwoke expressed satisfaction with the government of Rivers State by sending students to the United Kingdom on scholarships.

Mrs. Ezinwoke reminded the awardees that the United Kingdom has zero tolerance for indiscipline, with a different culture and therefore tasked the students on the need to study hard under a conducive environment.

Responding on behalf of the awardees Mr Barizula, Tony expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government for providing its citizens quality education through the Rviers State scholarship board, Mr Tony assured that, “we will do our best to pass our examinations and come back to Nigeria and Rivers State in particular to help build the state with our skills.”