Jonathan Cautions On Scholarship Awards

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged government
functionaries and other influential personalities not to interfere with the
process of selecting future beneficiaries of the Bayelsa Restoration
Scholarship Scheme.

Speaking at an interactive forum with 100 graduands who
benefited from the scheme and their parents at the Banquet Hall in Government
House, Yenagoa, President Jonathan noted that non-interference in the selection
process would help to ensure that only deserving students irrespective of their
backgrounds get enlisted in the programme.

According to the President, the scheme which he started in
2006 as the then Governor of Bayelsa State, was designed to send brilliant but
less privileged students to some of the prestigious schools with a view to
providing them with the best secondary education available in the country.

President Jonathan further stated that the programme was
also intended to develop the human capacity base of Bayelsa students in order
to make them more competitive and dynamic in their search for top quality jobs
in the oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy.

Dr. Jonathan who said he visited some of the schools where
the students were placed shortly before his elevation as Vice-President,
advised Governor Dickson to shop for the best schools to enable beneficiaries
of the scheme compete favourably with their peers.

The President observed that every child has the opportunity
to excel and therefore should be encouraged to harness his or her God-given
potentials.

Pointing out that the programme suffered setbacks in the
hands of the previous administration in the state, Dr. Jonathan expressed
appreciation to Governor Seriake Dickson for reviving the scheme, adding that
the state will benefit maximally from it in the future.

He also acknowledged the vision and contributions of former
Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and a business consultant, Sullivan Akachukwu,
for providing the platform for the effective take-off of the programme.

To promote research and knowledge in the country’s
universities, Dr. Jonathan said his administration will continue to encourage
lecturers to study and acquire PhD in their various fields of study.

Earlier in his remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for
Education, Chief Salo Adikumo stated that the Dickson-led government is
determined to revamp the education system in the state.

Chief Adikumo said the present administration has since
keyed into the vision Dr. Jonathan had for the state, noting that another batch
of 200 students will soon be dispatched to schools in Bayelsa and Rivers
States.

The commissioner noted that the process for the placement of
those students, which includes an orientation programme had been planned adding
that the process will be inclusive as the 200 will meet with the earlier 100,
who had completed their programmes to exchange ideas and thanked president for
instituting the programme.