NDDC Scholarship Recipients Excel At UK University

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has congratulated eleven recipients of its 2023/2024 Post Graduate Scholarship Programme for graduating with distinction from Coventry University in the UK.

NDDC Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who spoke at the graduation ceremony, stated that it was a demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to the scholarship scheme as well as a celebration of academic excellence.

Ogbuku led a delegation that included Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC; Alabo Boma Iyaye, NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration; Dr. George Uzonwanne, Director of Education, Health, and Social Services; Dr. Steve Ighomuaye, Director of Legal Services; and Mrs. Idara Akpabio, Director of Education.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer stated that the Commission was very serious about its human capital development programmes, emphasising that education was the most powerful tool for changing the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

He stated, “I am delighted to be in Coventry to celebrate our scholars. Their outstanding performance validates the transparent process by which the beneficiaries were chosen.

It is remarkable that 11 of the students graduated with distinction from Coventry University.

In a similar vein, NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, stated that the scholars had justified their inclusion in the programme, noting that the Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme, which began in 2010, was designed to provide Niger Delta youths with advanced training and skills.

Iyaye stated that the NDDC was pursuing increased investments in the educational sector as part of its efforts to ensure that youths were gainfully employed.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, also spoke at the event, saying, “This ceremony is especially unique because all 200 of the scholars from the 2023 programme performed exceedingly well, with 11 students from the batch earning a distinction and coming first in their various programmes.

“This demonstrates the recent review of the program’s beneficiary selection process, which is transparent and merit-based. I applauded the NDDC Board and Management for continuing the scholarship programme.”

He went on to say, “Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Education Loan Fund, and he stated that education is the most powerful weapon in the fight against poverty.

“I could not agree more. Today, the NDDC sends 200 graduates per year to foreign universities for postgraduate studies.

“This allows them to study with the best minds around the world, and the experiences they gain will help us develop the Niger Delta region.”

Recall that earlier this month, 200 recipients of the NDDC 2024/2025 Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme received their award letters in preparation for their departure for further studies.