NDDC Awards Post-Graduate Scholarships to 200 Niger Delta Students
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has granted post-graduate foreign scholarships to 200 scholars from the Niger Delta region. The chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, presented the scholarship letters during a pre-departure ceremony held in Port Harcourt today Saturday 13th of July 2024.
In a statement by the commission’s director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Mr. Ebie highlighted that these scholarships are for doctorate and master’s degrees in various fields. “The scholarship scheme is an important component of NDDC’s human capital development programme, providing free education to scholars in the Niger Delta. Education is the most powerful weapon for changing the fortunes of the Niger Delta region. We expect the beneficiaries to make the best use of this opportunity to acquire technical expertise for the benefit of the region and Nigeria,” he said.
Samuel Ogbuku, the managing director of NDDC, assured the beneficiaries that their tuition and accommodation would be promptly covered. He noted that NDDC had awarded scholarships to thousands of students, many of whom excelled in their academic pursuits and careers. “You need to emulate your predecessors and come back home to add value to society, making the Niger Delta people proud,” he advised the scholars.
Mr. Ogbuku also encouraged the students to focus on their studies to succeed, promising that those who excel with distinctions in their Master’s programme would receive scholarships for a PhD.
George Uzonwanne, NDDC director of Education, Health, and Social Services, revealed that out of 56,000 applicants, only 200 passed the electronic examination process. The NDDC foreign scholarship programme, which began in 2010, aims to educate underprivileged Niger Delta youths seeking advanced training and skills.
Azuka Chinedu, the top-performing candidate in the selection process, praised NDDC for the opportunity to further their education abroad. “We will do our best to be good ambassadors of the Niger Delta and return to contribute to regional development,” he promised on behalf of the other beneficiaries.
