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In yet another groundbreaking achievement by the Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial district, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, ten young scholars from the state are set to receive $400,000 to pursue different postgraduate degrees in some European and American Universities. The scholarship which is part of the second batch of the NDDC postgraduate scholarship programme will enable each scholar to receive $40,000, equivalent to N64 million, to support their academic endeavours.
Recall that in the first batch, the Senator fondly called ‘SUKI’ facilitated $280,000 for seven young Cross River scholars who are currently pursuing degrees in several foreign universities.
The second batch beneficiaries include Ernest Edim, who will study Msc. Data Science at the University of Salford, UK; Juliet Edem, Msc. Biomedical Science at the University of Salford, UK; Inde Immanuella Sikile, LLM Artificial Intelligence, Digital and Cyberlaw at Edge Hill University, UK; Egwu Sonia, Msc. Project Management at Northampton University, UK; and Umoh Anthony Effiong, Msc. Sustainable Transitions at the University of Aberdeen, UK.
Others are Egwu Florence-Sarah Arong, MSC. Computer Science at Maharashi International University, USA; Eyo Victor Effiom, Msc. Public Health at the University of Wolverhampton, UK; Iyam Solomon, MRes (MPhil) Tropical Health and Infectious Disease Research at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK; Asuquo Utang Edet, LLM International Business and Commercial Law at Anglia Ruskin University, UK; and Edem Umoh Bassey, MSC. Renewable Energy Engineering at Kingston University, London.
As Nelson Mandela aptly stated, “Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world”. There’s nothing more valuable than education, and Sen. Ekpenyong is empowering a lot of Cross Riverians with the viable tools to excel in their respective fields. Indeed, he is deliberate about supporting young people to build their capacities in contemporary and future-oriented fields. On graduation, these youths will be empowered to become thought leaders in their respective domains.
I’m particularly impressed with the quality of most of the courses. We don’t have many Cross Riverians who have delved into some of these fields which are some of the the most in-demand fields in the labour market, both locally and internationally today.
In the Journalism profession, most media house owners in Nigeria will tell you that when they offer you appointment letter even without pay, they’re giving you meal ticket. In like manner, I commend the Senator for his vision and commitment in supporting the next generation of leaders in our state with the solid meal tickets.
Congratulations to all the deserving beneficiaries. May God guide and protect them throughout the duration of their programmes.
Inyali Peter, Ph.D.
