Rivers State Overseas Scholarship Beneficiaries to Return Home
Three hundred and twenty-eight students offered special overseas scholarships by the Rotimi Amaechi administration in Rivers State would now have to continue their studies in Nigeria. Their scholarships have been terminated due to “financial challenges” facing the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration.
The 328 students are expected to return to the country between July and September 2016 to continue with their studies.
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr Larry Pepple, told journalists in Port Harcourt that they would return in three batches.
“The first batch will return in July, second batch in August, while the last batch will return in September,” he said.
Pepple explained that the government has discussed with the managements of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and University of Port Harcourt about absorbing the students, adding that the agency is liaising with the various schools abroad to facilitate the timely transmission of the students’ transcripts.
For those whose disciplines are not offered by the two universities, Pepple said they would be allowed to choose from other local universities that offer their courses; while those whose courses are not offered in Nigeria, would be encouraged to take related courses of the Bachelor Level.
Denying that the decision was politically-motivated, the RSSDA Boss said the government is merely responding to the economic challenges facing the country.
He also said that continuing their programmes locally would not defeat the objective of the scholarship as the students would bring their wealth of experience to improve educational development in the state.
“Though the programme has been suspended, the development will not deter the government from sending some indigent Rivers people abroad in future to acquire special skills,” Pepple said.
