Delta State Government has approved the release of N434 million for the payment of 2020/2021 bursary for students of the state origin in tertiary institutions across the country.
Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba.
He explained that the continuous payment of bursary despite economic hardship in the country was a demonstration of Okowa’s commitment to human capital development of the state.
Aniagwu also disclosed that the council approved the commencement of 2021/2022 cycle for the Job Creation Bureau, with 650 citizens expected to benefit from the 7th cycle.
He said: “Exco approved the establishment of a technical college in Kiagbodo, in Burutu.
“We also approved the construction of administrative building for the college of health sciences, Oghara and the remodelling of the Library of the clinical science building.”
Meanwhile, wife of Delta State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, has expressed concern over the waywardness of youths, saying: “We need to recover our youths from destruction as they are gradually but steadily slipping out of our hands and if we keep folding our hands, we are not sure of what the future would become.”
Dame Okowa, who hosted over 100 wives of traditional rulers from across the 25 councils of the state in Asaba, expressed the need to address increasing issues of youth restiveness.
To this end, she said a coalition for change was formed between her and wives of traditional rulers in the state with a view to finding solutions to the issues at stake.
Mrs Okowa said: “It has become common place for our young children to go out and return with items that even we, their parents, cannot afford. The drive to get rich quick and at all cost has eaten deep and we must step in before things get out of hands.”
“Our girl children have also taken to the streets as sex workers, a trend that has become rather worrisome, and in as much as we have gathered here to celebrate the season, we must bring these issues to the front burner.”
The governor’s wife appreciated the royal mothers for the work of unity they had been doing in the state.
The royal mother of Ute-Ogbeje Kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area, Queen Gladys Jikeme, on behalf of others, expressed gratitude to Dame Okowa for always carrying them along in the scheme of things and assured her of continued cooperation.