NDDC excited as 32 foreign scholars shake UK universities with distinctions

… NDDC to insist on tech skills for foreign scholarships applicants

An excited Samuel Ogbuku, the CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is now in London to witness 32 foreign scholars who are said to shake the UK by posting distinctions.

The exceptional scholars who were beneficiaries of its Commission’s Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme, graduated with distinctions from Coventry University in the United Kingdom.

The Commission says it has however found why some did not graduate with distinction, blaming it on low IT schools to cope with education in the UK. For that reason, next applicants must be proficient in IT skills.

Ogbuku was said to lead a delegation of NDDC directors to join the students at their graduation ceremony in Coventry.

According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama, NDDC’s Director, Corporate Affairs, in the team were the Directors of Education, Health, and Social Services, George Uzonwanne, Angela Awele Chukwudifu, and Deputy Director, Bomiegha Ehiokioya.

Addressing the scholars at Coventry University, the NDDC CEO was said to have praised the scholars for being good ambassadors of the Niger Delta region, noting that no scholar from the Commission had ever been associated with any vice or misconduct.

Ogbuku commended the scholars for their achievements, which he said had brought pride to the NDDC and Niger Deltans, remarking that Niger Delta students studying in the United Kingdom stand out as exceptionally bright.

He said: “This is evident in the honours bestowed upon NDDC Scholars by universities in the United Kingdom. Their notable achievements and exemplary conduct illustrate that we are indeed admirable individuals”.

He observed that previous beneficiaries of the scholarship programme set enviable standards for subsequent groups, stating: “It is remarkable that 18 of our scholars graduated with distinction in Coventry University last year.”

The NDDC boss stated that the Commission was very serious with its human capital development programmes, noting that education was the most powerful weapon for changing the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

He said further: “I am thrilled to be in Coventry to celebrate our scholars. Their outstanding performance confirms the transparent process through which the beneficiaries were selected.”

The Managing Director noted that the visit allowed the NDDC team to discuss collaborative arrangements between Coventry University and universities in the Niger Delta region.

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Ogbuku remarked that the scholars who did not make distinctions may have been deficient in computer education, noting that computer illiteracy was a challenge.

He said, “The education system in the United Kingdom incorporates technology and employs blended learning techniques, which may be unfamiliar to many Nigerian scholars.

Henceforth, applicants seeking the upcoming NDDC foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship award are required to provide proof of their computer proficiency.”

Royal Nwachukwu, a cybersecurity graduate, expressed appreciation to the NDDC for the scholarship programme, which had enhanced their opportunities for employment.

He appealed to the Commission to continue with the initiative and improve on it to allow more indigenes of the Niger Delta to reap its benefits.

Nwachukwu assured that the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme would continue to strive for excellence and enhance the region’s prestige. He also pledged the commitment of the scholars to use their knowledge and skills to serve the people of the Niger Delta region.