News

NDDC Scholars Lament FG’s Neglect

Published

9 years ago

October 9, 2017

Some beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme put in place by the Federal Government through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have alleged that the commission has abandoned them.
In interviews with newsmen, the scholars who craved anonymity said they had been subjected to unfair and inhuman treatment by the commission since 2016.
The affected beneficiaries are Masters and PhD students of Niger Delta origin who won the scholarship awards in 2014 and 2015.
They alleged that their ordeals started when the leadership of the current NDDC board assumed office in November, 2016.
The beneficiaries were also carefully positioned to study courses considered to be of developmental benefit to the region; such as Engineering, Law, Environmental Sciences, Public Health, ICT, among others.
In January 2015, the NDDC advertised for scholarship vacancies in several national dailies and on its website.
Successful candidates were consequently issued award letters, a copy of which was made available to our source.
The value of the scholarship, according to the aggrieved scholars, was put at $30,000.
A successful scholar on arrival and registration at the foreign university was expected to ask the university to send an invoice for tuition fees to the NDDC via designated email addresses of officials in the education unit.
According to one of the scholars, “After settlement of tuition fees, the balance left (if any) out of the $30,000 was paid simultaneously to the scholar’s bank account in the local currency of the scholar’s country of study.
“A PhD scholarship is worth $30,000 per annum for three years making a total of $90,000, while a Masters scholarship is worth $30,000 for just one year.
“This has been the standard practice since the inception of the scholarship; albeit there are always delays as the NDDC has become very notorious for shabby treatment of her scholars among all national scholarship bodies,” the source said.
But some of the affected scholars, in email correspondence, said the last payments were made in March and August, 2016, under the interim management of Mrs Ibim Semenitari.
“Scholars were asked to provide invoices from their universities as far back as August, 2016, to prevent the usual delays,” they said in the correspondence.
“Sadly, payment was not effected until she was removed, and the substantive board led by its Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere came on board in November, 2016. The scholarship funds have been set aside in the NDDC budget as stated in the 2015 and 2016 Appropriation Act.”
The aggrieved scholars, however, alleged that they have been labelled ‘ghost scholars’ and ‘PDP scholars.’
Investigations show that at some point in June, 2016, the beneficiaries wrote in a jointly signed petition, the Education Unit of the NDDC asked scholars to send in valid proof of current study status which most of them complied with.
“The MD has granted several press interviews alluding to the fact that he is investigating monumental corruption in the administration of the scholarship,” they wrote.
“Numerous committees have been set up and it seems that they have run out of excuses to pay us our monies. We wonder how long it takes to investigate cases of authentic scholars from fake ones in this time and age when any information is available at the click of an email,” they queried.
Our correspondent gathered that some of the PhD scholars have abandoned their programmes due to withdrawal of their student visas as a result of non-payment, while some of the Masters students who completed their studies without the scholarship payment have had their certificates withheld by the university.
The affected scholars also alleged that appeals made to the NDDC management, and the minister for Niger Delta Affairs have yielded no positive result as the respective foreign universities with students from the NDDC have made countless appeals for payment without success.
“Most times, they have had to fly in their representatives to NDDC Headquarters at Port Harcourt-Aba Road, Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, to personally beg for settlement because their emails and phone calls are shunned by the NDDC,” the scholars claimed in their petition.
One of the beneficiaries of the Masters scholarship scheme, Maryleen Ndubuaku, narrated her ordeal:”I am expected to graduate with excellent grades to help me actualise the goal of this scheme which is to contribute to building our great nation.
“This is really difficult considering that I have to think of how to survive and pay my bills; the thought of which constantly distracts my focus from my daily academic duties,” the M.Sc. student of Embedded Microelectronics and Wireless Systems, at the Coventry University, United Kingdom said.
But when contacted, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Ojifo-Raphael Undiandeye, debunked claims that the scholars had been abandoned.
“They wrote the honourable minister, he minuted on their letter and forwarded it to the MD of NDDC. At one other time, he (the minister) said he went to the NDDC commission itself in Port Harcourt and saw a list where the MD was making approvals for payment of scholars,” Undiandeye said.
“To the best of my knowledge, a good number of them have been paid but we are still surprised that some of them are still complaining that they have not been paid. The challenge we are having is that, the commission is saying some of them are not authentic scholars or that some of them actually transferred in the process of admission: that is to say, someone in the NDDC records, for instance, were given scholarship in, say, University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and they are bringing the receipts of University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
“They may be authentic scholars, but because they changed schools (and courses) without due information or without due recognition of the commission, the commission is lost as to whether they are authentic scholars or not. But for those ones who did not tamper with their admission processes, they don’t have issues,” the minister’s aide said.
Commenting further, he said that the NDDC “feels that in this era of change, some people are defrauding the commission of funds.”
He, however, advised the affected scholars to table their concerns before the commission rather than resort to social media attacks.
“Rather than going to the social media to create the impression that the NDDC is corrupt and refusing to pay their fees, let them tackle the problems properly because the MD has said that those who the commission owed fees, he has paid.
“Definitely, there would be few skirmishes here and there; people who have not been paid as a result of one or two difficulties, their cases should actually be addressed, if they are attending the school approved by NDDC. That is not a serious issue,” he added.
When told that the scholars had alleged that they were authentic scholars genuinely certified by the NDDC, he attributed further skirmishes to gaps in communication.
“If that is true, then there is a breach of communication between the commission, the students and the universities, and that has to be reconciled,” he said.
“I can’t authoritatively say that they have made all outstanding payments. All I can authoritatively say is that the commission has started paying to a good number of them; that was because my principal said that he saw when the MD (of NDDC) brought a list to approve payment for a good number of them. Whether that was all of them, I do not know.
“Let them cool down and write in details what the challenge is because the truth is that, people are defrauding the NDDC and NDDC is trying to stop it. I hear someone said that the commission claimed that several people were laying claims to scholarship funds over scholarship awards they did not receive. And that’s why the commission is being very careful, especially in this era of change.”
On allegations that some of the scholars were being treated badly because they were beneficiaries of the scheme in the last administration, Undiandeye dismissed the claim as untrue.
“It has absolutely nothing to do with that. I think the major challenge is documentation skirmishes here and there, otherwise the commission in this era is responsible,” he explained.
Efforts to ascertain whether all outstanding payments being owed the scholars had been made by the NDDC were futile.
However, when contacted, one of the commission’s media officers, Dayo Ibitoye, declined to speak on telephone.
When probed further, he requested a text message.
Several days after the text messages were sent, he has not replied.
The Tide reports that the NDDC is an interventionist agency that was set up in 2000 by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration as a replacement to the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC).
The NDDC Act 2000 empowers the commission to receive statutory appropriation of three per cent from oil derivation revenues as special allocation in addition to 0ne per cent Ecological Fund from the nine states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, to enable it improve the welfare of the people of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
As part of its mandate, the NDDC scholarship scheme was set up to improve the manpower capacity of Niger Delta youth by sponsoring them for Masters and PhD programmes in universities abroad.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

News

Odu Urges Collaboration Among Stakeholders To Improve Health Service Delivery In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector in the State.

The deputy governor particularly urged synergy between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board towards improved healthcare delivery in the State.

?Prof. Odu made this call during the 2026 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

?She stressed the importance of honesty and urged all parties to be truthful and open in addressing challenges within the system.

?According to her, transparency remains critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting healthcare delivery, noting that “if we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up.”

The deputy governor recounted a personal experience at a Primary Health Center where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCIPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to make payment for services.

According to her, intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.

Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme, thereby undermining its objectives.

“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stressed.

?While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, Ministry of Health, Development Partners as well as other supporting units, for their efforts, ty deputy governor stressed that performance should not lead to complacency.

She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and leave lasting positive impacts within the system.

News

You Can Now Print Your Exam Slips, JAMB Tells 2026 UTME Candidates

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the opening of examination slip printing for candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB made the announcement yesterday, urging candidates to visit its website to download their slips ahead of the examination.

“Examination Slip Printing is now available. The slip contains details of the venue, date and time of your examination and gives you access to the examination hall,” the board said.

Candidates are to visit jamb.gov.ng and click on “2026 Slip Printing” to print their slips.

The development comes after JAMB dismissed a viral press release falsely claiming the examination had been postponed.

The board described the notice as “malicious and fake” and urged candidates to disregard it.

The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The examination follows a mock test conducted on Saturday, March 28, which recorded technical difficulties at some Computer-Based Test centres.

Of the 224,597 candidates who registered for the mock, 152,586 sat for the test across 989 CBT centres nationwide.

JAMB said over 20 centres were delisted for technical inadequacies.

The board also warned candidates against fraudsters on WhatsApp claiming to facilitate score inflation, describing such claims as “false and criminal”, and threatening cancellation of registration or withholding of results for any candidate found involved.

Over two million candidates, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, registered for this year’s UTME.

News

RSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

In a decisive step towards redefining its future, the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has formally unveiled its Third Five-Year (2026-2030) Strategic Development Plan.

The development plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen the university’s position as a leading institution in Nigeria and beyond.

The unveiling took place during a high-level engagement with the Governing Council, Principal Officers and the university congregation, at the Convocation Arena, recently.

Delivering his remarks at the unveiling ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor of the university and Chairman of Council, Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, charged all members of the university community to align their activities with the strategic direction of the institution, emphasizing that the success of the plan depends on collective commitment.

He noted that the plan is not merely a document, but a working framework that requires discipline, accountability and unity of purpose.

According to the Pro-Chancellor, only through coordinated efforts from all stakeholders can the university fully realize its vision.

“I hereby invite the Visitor to the University, donor agencies, friends and well-wishers, and all stakeholders to support and fund the implementation of this strategic plan. We are confident that this plan will take RSU to greater heights in the comity of higher institutions,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described the Strategic Development Plan as a document that would enhance the university’s corporate strengths, mitigate current weaknesses, leverage its corporate opportunities and address perceived existential threats.

“This Five-Year Strategic Plan sets out RSU’s goals, strategic objectives, expected outcomes and impact, including intervention strategies,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Strategic Development Planning Committee, Prof. Emeritus Joseph A. Ajienka, noted that the 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan represents a bold reaffirmation of the university’s founding ideals of excellence, creativity, innovation and inclusivity, aimed at positioning the institution to respond effectively to contemporary challenges in higher education.

Prof. Ajienka, who is also a member of the Governing Council, disclosed that the plan was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultative process, which he said reflects contributions from Faculties, Departments, Satellite Campuses and Administrative Units.

At its core, the plan seeks to advance the university’s vision of becoming a “unique and uncommon” institution that is structurally and philosophically oriented towards solving practical societal problems and ranking among the top ten universities in Nigeria.

The strategic framework identifies six key challenges confronting the university, including funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, limited research collaboration, and service delivery inefficiencies.

A statement by the university’s Acting Director, Corporate Affairs, Victor G. Banigo, further stated that the university has articulated four broad strategic goals supported by eight targeted objectives.

A central priority of the plan, according to him, is the strengthening of governance and administrative systems, alongside deliberate efforts to expand the university’s funding base. Others include enhanced alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and innovative fundraising initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

“Equally significant is the commitment to upgrading physical infrastructure across all campuses. Plans are underway to modernize lecture halls and laboratories, expand student accommodation, improve campus security and deploy advanced ICT systems to support teaching, learning and research.

“Recognizing that human capital is the backbone of institutional success, the university has placed strong emphasis on staff development, recruitment and productivity enhancement. Through targeted training programmes, mentorship initiatives and performance management systems, the plan aims to foster a highly skilled and motivated workforce.

“In addition, the university is poised to deepen its focus on research, innovation and entrepreneurship. By reviewing academic curricula, strengthening industry partnerships and establishing innovation incubation centers, Rivers State University seeks to translate research outputs into practical solutions that address societal needs and drive economic growth,” he said.

The PRO disclosed that the implementation of the strategic plan is projected at ?110 billion, reflecting the scale of transformation envisioned.

“While the university is committed to funding a significant portion internally, additional resources will be mobilized through government support, donor agencies, alumni contributions, and public-private partnerships.

“This multi-channel funding strategy aligns with the university’s broader goal of building a resilient and self-sustaining financial model capable of supporting long-term development,” he explained.

To ensure effective implementation, he said, “the plan incorporates a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, complete with performance and impact indicators. A mid-term review is scheduled within the first two years to assess progress and make necessary adjustments.

“Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated Strategic Planning Office will provide oversight, coordination and accountability in executing the plan across all units of the university.”

According to the statement, “As the university embarks on this transformative journey, the message from leadership is clear: the Strategic Development Plan is a collective mandate.

“For staff, students, alumni and stakeholders, it represents an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and advancement of the institution. For the university, it is a pathway to consolidating its legacy while embracing innovation and global relevance.

“With a clear vision, defined priorities and a united community, Rivers State University stands poised to translate this strategic blueprint into measurable progress, advancing knowledge, empowering people and shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria.”