GOVERNOR IKPEAZU FLAGS OFF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FOR ABIA INDIGENES TO STUDY IN AUSTRALIA
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has flagged off the 2019/2020 scholarship award for Abia indigenes to study in Australia with the charge that they return to add value to both the State and Nigeria at large.
Dr. Ikpeazu, who tasked them to venture into some critical areas in their study, identified areas as Radiography, Theatre Nursing, Pathology as some of the key areas that Nigeria still lacks trained personnels.
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The Governor reiterated that education is foundational to the five pillars of his government maintained that his administration created the scholarship board to give opportunity for young and enterprising students to aspire to actualize their educational needs.
He advised against engaging in fraud, drugs and other criminal tendencies which have given Nigerians a bad name abroad.
While expressing the hope that these ones would bring back good report, Dr. Ikpeazu maintained that the government would monitor their progress academically and called on the clergy and other well-meaning Abians to keep praying for their success in Australia.
The Governor, who congratulated them on being the first beneficiaries of the scholarship award, also called on Local Government Chairmen to identify other brilliant students in their local government areas for sponsorship.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chairman, Abia State Scholarship Board, Ambassador Empire Kanu who disclosed that the scholarship followed an earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Governor with the University of New England and University of Newcastle both in Australia to provide scholarship for Abia indigenes who want to study either for Undergraduate or Postgraduate programme in Australia, hinted that the first set of the award is the one being commissioned today.
Speaking on behalf of the universities, Ms Martha Hendra of the University of Newcastle told charged the students to brace up to the challenging task ahead as oversea students.
While noting that the University exposes the students to various career opportunities, Ms Hendra challenged them to explore these opportunities as well as maintain a balanced life as they combine study with work and other social life.
In a vote of thanks, Dr. Odochi Onuoha who expressed gratitude to the Governor for his education friendly disposition, called on the students to be good representatives of the State so as to encourage the Governor to sponsor upcoming ones.
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