The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has tasked the 28 Beneficiaries of the State overseas scholarship to avail themselves of the opportunity to improve themselves and seek ways to contribute to the advancement of the State after their Training.
The Governor was speaking during a meeting he held with a delegation of the Abia State Scholarship Board and the Beneficiaries of Overseas Scholarship Programme at Government House , Umuahia.
He cautioned the beneficiaries this is not an opportunity to abscond as they will be under constant supervision by the Scholarship Board, adding that he will demand periodic reports of their academic records. The Governor stated that the Universities in Australia and India were carefully selected after serious due diligence.
The Governor then assured that the over 50 qualified Abia youths seeking admissions and scholarships abroad through the State Scholarship Board, that their applications are being processed in collaboration with the Universities in different countries and will mature before the end of this year to enable them travel and commence their studies.
He said the exercise is to ensure that all Abia youths who aspire are provided opportunities and avenues to express themselves and realize their ambition.
Dr. Ikpeazu said that his administration thought it wise to sponsor the beneficiaries even in the midst of economic challenges, adding that apart from huge investment in infrastructure, there is need for human capital development.
Governor Ikpeazu also disclosed that the state has huge gaps in some specialized areas of study, especially in the sciences, hence, the need to undertake the overseas training to fill the gaps.
He thanked the Australian and Indian High Commissions for ensuring that Visas for successful students are released despite the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and also thanked the Abia State Scholarship Board for resurecting the once moribund Board.
According to the Governor, the oversees scholarship is a manifestation of his administration’s numerous interventions overseas and congratulated the beneficiaries on the milestone.
Earlier, the Chairman , Abia State Scholarship Board, Ambassador Empire Kanu said that the reasons for the choice of the Universities in Australia and India were based on reputable records, adding that the development will give the beneficiaries the opportunity to leverage on the technological advancement and academic success of the institutions.
Presenting the beneficiaries to the Governor, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Scholarship Board , Mr Chukwuka Daniel said they are currently working on other beneficiaries while those whose visas are ready are currently having on-line lecture and will soon depart for Australia and India.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Ekele Nnaemeka and Miss Esther Okezie thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for the opportunity to further their education abroad and promised that they will study hard to justify the confidence reposed in them as well as remain good ambassadors of the State.
