Irene Igbinokpogie
The NDDC scholarship programme which started in 2010, was designed to produce top level professionals with technical manpower, capacity and expertise to compete in oil and gas industry and in other sectors. Although it faced funding challenges in the past, there is a bright prospects given the boost it has recently received from federal government.
The reviewed scholarship programme was approved by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, who is interested in giving more youths the opportunity to undertake their Masters programme in foreign and Nigerian universities. The opening up of the program offers tremendous opportunity to expose young Niger Delta scholars to academic excellence both within and outside the country.
Similarly, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has held a Computer-Based Test, CBT, for three thousand applicants for its Postgraduate Scholarship programme from the nine Niger Delta states. This too is aimed at boosting the skill pool for the region.
Speaking at the Information and Communication Technology Centre of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, where the tests was conducted, the NDDC Deputy Director, Education, Mrs. Idara Akpabio. noted that over 13,915 applications for the local and foreign Postgraduate Scholarship was received by the Commission, from which the successful applicants for the tests were selected.
She explained: “The successful applicants for the Computer Based Test was drawn from all the nine Niger Delta states and there are six test sessions per day, spread over three days. We had some challenges during the selection processes which did not go beyond the inability of prospective applicants to submit the relevant information and documents.
The selection process wasn’t much of a challenge. We had about 13,915 applications. To get the appropriate persons, we had to look out for those with first class, second class upper, and 2:2. Some of them, in a bid to finish the application, uploaded blank sheets. We had to select those with complete credentials. We ended up selecting 3,000 applicants.”
The Project Consultant, Mr. Godson Edozie commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, and the management of the NDDC for being consistent and resilient in ensuring the sustainability of the NDDC postgraduate scholarship scheme. He commended the Commission for giving hope to the youths of the Niger Delta through the programme, noting that 2022 is the first time that the NDDC will be offering foreign Scholarship in only the Master’s Degree category.
In his remarks, a Deputy Director, Information and Communication Technology, Rivers State University, Dr. Sunny Orike, a 2011 recipient of the NDDC Foreign Scholarship Award, commended the Commission for giving the Niger Delta youths the opportunity of having an enriching global experience through education.
An applicant who participated in the NDDC CB Test, Daniel Kwelli applauded the Commission for giving him the opportunity to participate in the test, saying that he was hopeful of going through to the next phase of the selection process. “This test means a lot to me and it is also the opportunity that I’ve been looking for. The examination was very transparent, I hope I will be selected for the scholarship and I will come back to Nigeria and develop my area of discipline.”
According to Dr. Sunny Orike, a 2011 recipient of the NDDC Foreign Scholarship Award, commended the Commission for giving the Niger Delta youths the opportunity of having an enriching global experience through education. Stressing that the scholarship will exposed the Niger Delta Youths to global experience in their areas of specialization.
Meanwhile, the resuscitation of the scholarship scheme of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signaled the readiness of the Commission to adequately prepare youths of the region for sustainable development of the region and to champion for regional industrialization.
According to a statement signed by management of the Commission, the Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship Programme is aimed at equipping Niger Deltans with relevant training and skills for effective participation in the local content programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The Commission further indicated that the scheme, which has trained about 2000 youths in the last 12 years, is also aimed at preparing the Niger Delta youths to compete globally in various professional disciplines.
Obviously, the scholarship and several other educational programmes will exposed the Niger Delta Youths in their area of specialization through training in various reputable universities in the world. This will be of added advantage to the socio economic development of the region.
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