Ebonyi approves N2bn scholarship grants for 597 beneficiaries

The Ebonyi government has approved the release of N2 billion for the payment of scholarship grants to the successful candidates selected for the government’s sponsored university scholarships.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday signed by Mr Jude Okpor, Commissioner for Information and Orientation and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.

He said that the approval was part of the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday and presided over by Governor Francis Nwifuru.

He said: “Following the State Executive Council’s approval of the list of 597 successful candidates to study in Nigerian universities as submitted by the State Scholarship Board, over N2 billion has been approved by EXCO.

“This amount covers school fees, research funding and living expenses of the scholarship beneficiaries.”

The statement stated that the Council further resolved that the research funds be paid to the universities alongside the school fees to avoid mismanagement by beneficiaries.

“That civil servants who sail through the eligibility processes of the scholarship programme are to be granted study leave with pay in addition to other privileges.”

The commissioner said that the council also resolved that giving adequate publicity on the achievements and activities of the government should be the exclusive duty of the state information/public relations officers.

“Council resolved that all Information Officers and Public Relation Officers should henceforth take full charge of their responsibilities as the mouthpiece and image-makers of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“They are to ensure that government achievements receive the widest publicity as and when due,” Okpor stated.

He said the government was determined to enhance the fire fighting capacity of the Ebonyi Fire Service and has approved the purchase of two numbers of fire fighting trucks to complement the existing ones.

“Following recent fire outbreaks in the state and in line with the government’s determination to combat future occurrences, EXCO approved the purchase of two nos fire trucks.

“Also, Council approved the release of funds for the construction of about one-kilometre road leading to Ebonyi Waste Pulverisation Plant, Enyim, Unwuoghara, and directed Commissioner for Transport and Special Projects to ensure speedy completion,” he added.

Okpor noted that the council expressed commitment to the state government in revamping and resuscitating the state healthcare facilities in the general hospitals across the state and thus, approved the renovation of doctors’ quarters in some general hospitals.

(NAN)