Mkpoikana Udoma 02 October 2015, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – In continuation of its Post-graduate Foreign Scholarship Programme, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has given award letters to 220 graduates who are set to depart for their studies abroad.
The successful graduates from the nine states of the Niger Delta were given their letters at a pre-departure briefing and formal orientation held at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt.Addressing the graduates, who have joined the long list of NDDC scholars, the Managing Director of the Commission, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, advised them to make good use of the privilege to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.
The NDDC chief executive officer noted that the Post Graduate Foreign Scholarship Scheme was initiated in 2010 with 200 beneficiaries in line with one of the policies set out in the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan.
According to him, “the commission had recorded huge successes since the inception of the programme, sponsoring the training of more than 1,200 graduates in different fields, including engineering, medicine, ICT, agriculture and geosciences.”
He added that the board and management had approved the inclusion of new courses such as environmental/oil and gas law and engineering projects management to widen the scope of the scheme.
Sir Dan-Abia expressed delight that some NDDC scholars did so well in their areas of study and were awarded automatic scholarships in Harvard and Coventry universities to continue with their Ph.D programmes, while others were given teaching appointments in reputable universities.
He, therefore, admonished the 2015 beneficiaries to also do the nation proud.
“You have to represent us well because change has come to Nigeria, the Niger Delta and the NDDC.
“We expect that upon completion of your studies, the knowledge and skills you would have acquired will be a veritable tool to contribute to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large,” he said.
