Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has advised beneficiaries and students of his scholarship scheme to always remember that they are ambassadors of the State in the foreign land they are heading to.
Nwifuru gave the charge during the flagged off of the scholarship scheme at Chuba Okadigbo International Airport Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area of the State on Saturday.
Nwifuru also advised the foreign students to shun being a nuisance to South East like Simon Ekpa, after benefiting from the Sama scholarship platform.
” It is with great joy and pride that I stand before you today to flag off this historic initiative—our Scholarship Scheme, a bold step towards equipping our youth with the skills, knowledge, and global perspective necessary to drive the development of our beloved state.
“Today, we celebrate not just an investment in education but an investment in the future of our state. This event demonstrates our commitment to human capital development, which occupies centre stage in our government.
“It has shown we have moved from political rhetorics action which many thought characterised the scholarship scheme. Our People’s Charter of Needs Agenda has carefully identified scholarships and literacy as critical drivers for a better and guaranteed future. This is why we deemed it not only necessary but urgent to send our people to further their studies in global Ivy League universities. You, our scholars, represent the best and brightest minds, chosen for your brilliance, dedication, and potential to lead.
“This opportunity is a testament to your hard work and to our unwavering commitment to fostering excellence among our youth in line with the literacy and human capital development arm of the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda of our government.
“I must commend the State Ministry of Tertiary Education and State Scholarship Board for their painstaking efforts to ensure that only qualified and bona fide students of Ebonyi State origin were selected to benefit from the Scheme. My administration deliberately created the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Scholarship Board because of our intentions to build manpower that will help to drive our policies in the area of Education.
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“The Hi pact programme, which was instituted by our former Governor, His Excellency Sen. Sam Onwinyi Egwu, presented an opportunity for us to rewrite our history as it concerns hitherto our Educational backwardness. This idea, which is a replica of the Hi pact programme, will produce graduates that will man our universities and model Secondary Schools across the State. By the special grace of God, before the end of our administration, 8,000 Ebonyi indigens must have benefitted from the Scheme.
“Works are progressing satisfactorily in our ICT and Aeronautic Universities, and we intend to absorb beneficiaries of this Scheme in those universities.
8. As you embark on this transformative journey to world-class institutions abroad and across Nigeria, let me remind you of the immense responsibility that comes with this privilege. You are not just students, you are Ambassadors of our state. Your actions, your words, and your achievements will reflect not only on you but on our collective identity as Ebonyi people.
“At all times. In your private and public undertakings, be guided by this. We have expectations that you will graduate on record times and return to contribute your quota towards the development of Ebonyi State. Your case must be different from that of Simon Ekpa, who, instead of reciprocating the gesture of sending him abroad for scholarship, turned around to constitute himself a nuisance to the entire Country. We expect you to graduate on record times, as I said before, and return immediately, as this will pave the way for others to benefit.
” Therefore, I urge you to immerse yourselves fully in your studies, embrace the cultures you encounter, and build networks that will be invaluable to your growth. But remember, your ultimate mission lies here at home. Upon completing your studies. For emphasis, we expect you to return to our state and channel your expertise into sectors that need your innovation, creativity, and leadership.
“The challenges we face as a state are significant, but they are not insurmountable. With the right minds and the right commitment, we can transform our education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology sectors into models of progress.
“I firmly believe that the solutions to our problems lie in empowering you, the youth, with opportunities like this. Once again, I would also like to use this medium to thank the dedicated team that made this scholarship scheme a reality. Your vision and determination have laid a solid foundation for a brighter tomorrow anchored on renewed minds which forms the core policy thrust of the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda.
“To our scholars, I leave you with this: “Never forget where you come from”. I would want you to allow the aspirations of our people to inspire you and let the challenges we face as a state fuel your determination to succeed. While there, do not forget we are counting on you to return to our state as leaders, innovators, and agents of change. This will justify the huge amount our state has committed to ensuring you attain greater heights for the overall benefit of our people. Do not be swayed by the euphoria of luxury overseas and lose in the chase of dreams. Being guided by this, we can build together, the prosperous future our state deserves.”
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