Lawmaker offers scholarships to 145 students

Hairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Clever Ikisipo, on Saturday, gave scholarships to no fewer than 145 students in various institutions of higher learning.

The beneficiaries, drawn from his senatorial districts of Ogbia, Brass and Nembe areas of Bayelsa State, comprised 135 undergraduates and 10 postgraduate students.

Each undergraduate received N50,000, while the postgraduate students were given N100, 000 each, summing up the scholarship funds to N7.75m.

Giving the recipients cheques, under the auspices of his Senator Clever Marcus Ikisipo Education Foundation, the Senator said the scholarship was a continuous one.

Ikisipo, who said he commenced the scheme when he was a member of the House of Representatives, urged the beneficiaries to be serious with their studies.

“Initially, the scheme was for only students from the Ogbia axis, but now we have extended our tentacles to the Brass and Nembe districts. To the students, may I urge you to take your studies seriously and shun cultism and other unwholesome practices,” the lawmaker said.

Secretary of the foundation, Mr. Ozu Albert, said the beneficiaries were chosen after well competed examination conducted by the foundation.

He urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the Senator’s gesture, saying education is the bedrock of development of any nation.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Bokolo Bansome, urged the beneficiaries to justify the scholarships they were given by facing their studies squarely.

Bansome said the importance of education could not be shoved aside, stressing that poverty of the minds and intellect was the greatest problem anybody could face.

He said the country could only move forward if priority was given to education.

He said, “We have lost values because of lack of education. If we empower people educationally, development will be ensured.

“To sustain the scheme, we have decided not to politicise the scholarship. The scheme is based on merit and we have examiners from the university that assist the foundation to conduct examinations so that the deserving students get the scholarship.

“To the students, this is an opportunity for them to uncover their potential. You should endeavour to unlock your potential. You are also expected to be role models in whatever you do and by so doing, you will be able to touch other people’s lives when you become established.”

Also, a former member of the House of Reps, Mr. Elliot Osiomu, counselled parents on good parenting, saying many youths went astray because of bad parenting.
source: http://www.punchng.com/education/lawmaker-offers-scholarships-to-145-students/

Tweet