RSG Spends N4bn On Special Overseas Scholarships

Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon Joe Poroma (left), conferring with his Permanent Secretary, Ms Kadilo Brown (right) and his wife, Rita, during his sendforth in Port Harcourt, Tuesday

The outgoing administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says it spent over N4 billion on the Governor’s Special Overseas scholarship programme, last year.
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr. Noble Pepple, who disclosed this at the presentation of the agency’s 2014 annual report yesterday in Port Harcourt, also said that the sum of over N141 million was spent on local scholarships, including the Greater Horizon programme (GHOP).
Pepple  said that the outgone year also saw the successful graduation of over 297 students of Rivers origin from the overseas scholarship programme, adding that it represents the highest number of graduates in a single year.
The Executive Director said that the agency also spent the sum of N9,518,5000 on the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) Agricultural Students Scholarship Scheme in the year under review.
He said that 676 students are currently on the Governor’s special overseas scholarship scheme, while 250 others, who have passed the aptitude test,were yet to go overseas for the programme due to lack of funds.
Pepple also said that the Greater Horizon Programme (GHOP), which started in 2009 for indigent pupils in the state, is also on course with over 133 pupils so far benefitting.
He advised the incoming administration in the state to give special attention to the special overseas scholarship, adding that the programme has created a pool of manpower for the state.
According to him, the Governor’s Special Overseas Scholarship was set up to enable Rivers people to acquire education in some key areas, such as, oil and gas, Information and Communication technology (ICT), Medicine and others.
“We are pleased that, the scholarship programme continues to achieve its objective to develop quality, world class talents to fill the critical manpower gap in the state”, he said.