The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated that it is remodeling its Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship scheme to incorporate a tracking system. The initiative is to monitor the progress of its scholars after graduation, it was gathered.
Addressing more than 200 scholars of the Commission, studying in various universities in the United Kingdom at Coventry University, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the tracking system will make the scholarship scheme, already the best in Nigeria, to be a cutting-edge innovation in skills and knowledge development in the Niger Delta region.
He said that, with the tracking system, the Commission will build a database of the more than 2,900 scholars who have benefited from the scheme in the 14 years since its inception.
Seledi Thompson-Wakama, NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs quoted Ogbuku to have said that the move will enable NDDC to appraise the impact of the scheme in the development of the region’s human capacity pool and also provide insight to the Commission on post scholarship intervention.
According to Ogbuku, “The tracking system is part of the innovation being introduced to make the scheme relevant to the technological needs of the Niger Delta.
“The other innovation is limiting of the scheme to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) courses.”
Ogbuku was part of the Commission’s monitoring team, led by the Chairman of the Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, to evaluate the performance of the scholars.
The team also included the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and other directors of the Commission.
He praised the scholars for being good ambassadors of the region, noting that no scholar from the commission has ever been associated with any vice, a tribute to the stringent and merit-based selection process.
Speaking earlier, Mr Ebie advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity given to them to enhance their knowledge for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region.
He observed that previous beneficiaries of the scholarship programme, set enviable standards for the current set to emulate.
“It is remarkable that 14 of our scholars graduated with distinction in Coventry University earlier in the year. Their outstanding performance confirms the transparent process through which the beneficiaries were selected,” he stated.
Also addressing the scholarship beneficiaries, the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, said that the scholars had a duty to justify their inclusion in the programme, noting that the Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme, which was started in 2010, was meant to equip Niger Delta youths with advanced training and skills.
Iyaye stated that the NDDC was pursuing improved investments in the education sector as part of plans to ensure that the youths were gainfully employed.
Abegunde on his part challenged the students to return to Nigeria at the end of their studies so that the country, nay the Niger Delta region, can benefit from the huge investments made in their education.
In his remarks, the NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, disclosed that out of 56,000 applicants for the 2024/2025 programme, only 200 were selected through a transparent electronic examination process.
He noted that the NDDC sponsors an average of 200 scholars for postgraduate studies in institutions across the world every year.
The statement hinted that the scholars are expected to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to further the development of the Niger Delta region on their return.
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Blessing Michael Menim, who spoke on behalf of the scholars, described the scheme as a success story.
He appreciated NDDC for the prompt payment of fees and allowances which has saved the scholars from the embarrassment faced by other Nigerian students who end up being sent away from school because of inability to pay their fees.
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