By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo on New Media, Mr. Philip Obim, and the Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Godwin Etta, yesterday in Calabar lauded the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade, for the initiative to award scholarship to indigent students pursuing various academic programmes in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The state chief executive had since two weeks ago ordered the distribution of scholarship forms to indigent students in the state, particularly those pursuing different degree programmes across the nation’s tertiary institutions with a view to reducing the level of illiteracy in the state.
In his remarks during the receipt of some forms from the Director General, Cross River State Scholarship Board, Nuella Tessy, on behalf of his people, at his office, Parliamentarian Extension, Calabar, Osinbanjo’s aide lauded the state governor in his effort to bring down the illiteracy level in the state, calling for more hands to be on deck in the task of trying to bring down the level of illiteracy in the state and the nation at large.
Obim hailed the DG for making available some forms to him, which he promised to give to indigent persons pursuing academic programmes at institutions of higher learning across the country, but unfortunately had no one to give them financial backings.
He said, “This initiative is a lofty idea that will be welcomed by all. Let’s be very frank, this is surely going to help young people who are at the verge of dropping out from school continue with thier academic pursuit.”
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Etta, said that with the re-introduction of the scheme, many who did not have anyone to provide them with shoulders to lean on can now have hope of returning back to the campus, courtesy of Ayade’s scholarship scheme.
Reacting when the DG of the state scholarship board also made available some forms to the Head of Hausa/Fulani, Moslem Community, in Bogobiri, Cross River State, Sarki Alhaji Garba Lawal, so that those among the Hausa-Fulani community, who are already in the tertiary institution but at the verge of dropping out from school due to lack of financial resources can also be assisted and made to benefit from the scheme.
While stressing that education remains the life wire and bedrock to any given society that is out to succeed, the Hausa-Fulani leader lauded the governor for having the interest of the Hausa Community at heart, promising the state governor peaceful co-existence among his subjects.
Also, the newly inaugurated Commissioner for Inter-governmental Affairs, Adamu Una Musa, who also got one copy of the scholarship form to enable him reach out to any of the underprivileged persons pursuing academic programmes in the tertiary institutions so that the fellow can as well benefit from the programme irrespective of beneficiary’s ethno-religious background.
The commissioner lauded the state chief executive for reviving the state government scholarship scheme at this critical time, adding this will goes a long way to show that Ayade is a lover of progress, who is concerned about development of the nation’s most critical sector.
He commended the governor for the initiative, stressing that with the kick-off, which accommodates Northerners, it is an indication that Ayade is a governor for all and not for one particular group, as assumed in most quarters, calling for more support for the state governor to enable him finished strong.
