The Federal Scholarship
Board has been commended for its immense contribution in mobilizing the Sierra Leonean scholars under the Nigerian Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme.
Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, (UNICAL) Prof. James Epoke made the commendation at a six-day Acculturation Programme for the Sierra Leonean Scholars organized by the Board of Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Scholarship in collaboration with UNICAL, held at the Senate Chambers of the institution.
Prof. Epoke, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Zana Akpagu, said the scholarship Board has improved the academic pursuit of the Sierra Leoneans, adding that the purpose of linkages was not based on educational grounds, but integration of Commonwealth.
He expressed appreciation to the organizers for choosing the institution in order to be acquainted with salient issues relating to cultural heritage and security system.
In an address, the Director/Secretary, Federal Scholarship Board, Ms. Ifeoma Stella Agunwah, disclosed that in 2003, the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in a visit to the Sierra Leonean Refugee Camp in Otta, Ogun State, offered one hundred (100) Scholarships to the Sierra Leonean Refugees for studies at the middle manpower levels in Nigerian tertiary institutions, out of which, the last batch consisting of twenty scholars are still being trained in various Nigerian institutions.
Ms Agunwah said that in addition to their academic pursuit, each year the scholars were exposed to the rich culture of Nigeria through orientation and acculturation programme organized by the Federal Scholarship Board. She explained that this was done in collaboration with one of the admitting institutions, stating that three programmes have been held.
The first, second and third editions were said to have been hosted by the University of Ilorin (North Central, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (South West) and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (North West) respectively, the fourth edition being hosted by UNICAL, (South-South).
The director further assured the scholars of the enormous benefits which the programme affords them primarily the exposure of other unique environment different from what their various institutions depict.
Also speaking, the Dean, Students Affairs in the institution, Prof. Eyong Ubana Eyong, appreciated the participants and commended the director of the board for putting together a wonderful package for the students.
Prof. Eyong assured them of a wonderful stay in Calabar and urged them to make judicious use of their opportunity.

Friday Nwagbara,
Calabar