Ebonyi state government has approved over N2 billion to sponsor scholarship for 597 Ebonyi people to study various needs courses in Nigeria Universities.
The state government had earlier announced and pursued plans to revive the state’s foreign and local scholarship schemes to address future manpower needs of the state as well as offer exceptional but indigent students the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
Consequent upon that, the State Scholarship Board had screened numerous applicants and enlisted 597 successful candidates for the first tranche of the scheme for local Universities.
Briefing newsmen Tuesday, on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting held Monday, the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor, stated that the approved sum was to covers school fees, research funding and living expenses of the scholarship beneficiaries.
He explained that the state deemed it necessary to pay the research funding to the universities alongside the school fees to avoid mismanagement by beneficiaries.
The Commissioner informed that civil servants who sailed through the eligibility processes of the scholarship programme and emerged successful would be granted study leave with pay in addition to other privileges, adding that those on foreign scholarship have also to be taken care of.
The Commissioner noted that the approval was in line with the avowed determination of Governor Nwifuru to continue to address specific needs of the people under the Ebonyi People’s Charter of Needs mantra of his administration.
Okpor further informed that the Council at the meeting, also approved the award of contracts and release of funds to successful bidders for immediate commencement of work on eight faculty and hostel buildings in the two new universities: University of ICT and University of Aeronautic Engineering under construction in Izzi and Ezza areas of the state respectively,
The Executive Council had in an earlier meeting, approved the construction of the buildings as a means of ensuring smooth take-off of academic activities in the universities soon.
Other decisions reached at the meeting bordered on infrastructure, health, land and housing as well as Industrialization and Urban development.
Okpor added: “Briefing EXCO on the progress of work on the 2km road in communities across the state, Council directed Commissioners for Infrastructure and that of Finance to ensure that contractors who are yet to receive their payment receive same without further delay.
“Also, Council approved release of fund for the construction of about 1km road leading to Ebonyi Waste Pulverization Plant at Ezza North LGA, and directed Commissioners for Transport and Special Projects to ensure speedy completion.
“To further deepen the gains of total resuscitation of the healthcare facilities across the State, Council approved the renovation of Doctors’ Quarters in some General Hospitals.”
