Govt awards university scholarships to 597 Ebonyians for postgraduate studies
From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
The Government of Ebonyi State has awarded scholarships to 597 Ebonyians to do their post graduate programmes in any Nigerian University of their choice.
The government further matched it with action by approving two billion naira (N2bn) takeoff fund for the scholarship programme.
The fund will cover school fees, research funds and living expenses of the scholarship beneficiaries.
The State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr Jude Chikadibia Okpor, stated this while briefing Journalists, Tuesday morning, on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday, 1st July, 2024.
Okpor noted that the research funds would be paid to the universities alongside the school fees to avoid mismanagement by beneficiaries.
He added that civil servants who sail through the eligibility processes of the scholarship programme would be granted study leave with pay in addition to other privileges.
He also disclosed that the government has approved eight faculty and hostel buildings to be constructed at the University of ICT, Oferekpe, Agbaja and Aeronautic Engineering University located at Ezza to ensure smooth takeoff of academic activities.
“Recall that EXCO had earlier approved the construction of the above-mentioned buildings and further approved the award of contracts and release of funds to successful bidders for immediate commencement of the project,”Okpor said.
The Information Commissioner further announced that following recent fire outbreaks in the State and in Government’s determination to combat future occurrence, government has approved the purchase of two fire trucks.
Okpor added thus: “following the presentation of a redesigned structure of the uncompleted Ebonyi Trade Centre at Presco Junction, Abakaliki, to EXCO, council deliberated and approved the completion of same.The structure on completion will accommodate the Ebonyi Trade Centre and Ebonyi Hotels.
“Council further resolved to recover all lands belonging to the Trade Centre and directed the Commissioner for Lands to commence process of recovering and securing the land with perimeter fence.
“EXCO approved a design of a new Estate at the city centre to be known as NNODO-EKUMENYI PALM BOULEVARD. The Estate will be adorned with facilities such as; civic centres, recreational facilities, banks, shopping malls and other business havens. This is partly in fulfillment of His Excellency’s People’s Charter of Needs manifestos to build Smart Cities across the State to enhance the aesthetic standard of the major cities in the state.
“Following Government’s decision to use part of the Trade Centre to accommodate the State-owned Hotels (Ebonyi Hotels), Council approved the sale of the yet-to-be-completed Rice City Hotel, and directed the Commissioner for Lands & Survey to furnish the Council of Public Procurement with the actual size of the land to enable it to evaluate and advertise the property for acquisition by investors.
“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, Enyim, Unwuoghara, and directed Commissioner 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”.
