Dickson Plegdes Support For Higher Education

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson says government
will support graduands of the Secondary School Scholarship programme in their
university education.

The scholarship scheme was instituted in 2006 by one time
Governor of the state and now President of the country, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking in Yenagoa at an interactive session with
beneficiaries of the scholarship programme, Governor Dickson directed the State
Ministry of Education to work out modalities to further assist those who have
already gained admission to study in universities both within and outside the
country.

The number of beneficiaries per school are, Bowen College,
Lekki Phase 2, 26 students, The Bells Comprehensive Secondary School, Ota, Ogun
State, 30, Nigerian Turkish International College, Abuja, 8 and the Vale
College, Ibadan, 26.

Governor Dickson who described the graduands as the future
of the State and country, expressed government’s commitment to equip the young
ones with the requisite skills and values to enable them compete effectively
with their contemporaries in an increasingly competitive global economy.

The Governor promised to consolidate on the worthy
educational legacies left behind by President Jonathan, and christened the
programme “The Bayelsa Restoration Scholarship Scheme” which he noted has
already started the selection process for the next batch of 200 students.

According to him, the selection will be an annual event,
while the process will be made competitive and fair with a view to ensuring
that only the best pupils emerge as beneficiaries.

Hon. Dickson also admonished the beneficiaries to continue
to see themselves as role models for the younger generation and commended
President Jonathan and former Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha for their vision in the education sector.

During the interactive session, the graduands spoke of their
experiences. Mr. Daniel Koroye, one of the graduands of the Nigerian Turkish
International College, said the major challenge was the language barrier.