By Roland Ike
The Ebonyi state Government says it will sponsor 300 indigenes of the state oversees to study for higher degrees in various disciplines.
Governor Francis Nwifuru made the disclosure on Monday in Abakaliki while swearing-in the chairman and members of the State Scholarship Board among other boards and aides.
Nwifuru urged the board to conclude the compilation of the successful candidates’ list latest by the first week of May.
“”They would study in countries of their choices with 270 of them studying for their masters degree while 30 for their doctorate degree.
“Nobody should submit names to you but ensure that successful candidates are chosen with laid down criteria.
“You should submit the list to me because I want to see it.”
The governor noted that he appointed several professors into the board to check discrepancies.
“The candidates must possess first class and second class upper honours and the professors will detect those who submitted fake results.
“People who studied English Language, Public Administration among others are not supposed to study data analysis for instance but those who studied computer science, economics among others.”
He declared that the total number of candidates to benefit from the scholarship programme is 1,000 as it will run through the duration of his administration.
“300 of them will study oversees while 700 will study in Nigeria.
“When they complete their studies, they will be employed as principals and vice principals in the 39 specialised secondary schools we are constructing across the state.”
The governor noted that other boards are revenue-generating in nature and should therefore contribute to enhancing the state’s revenues.
The other boards which membership were inaugurated include the Ebonyi Market Development Board.
The membership of the Ebonyi Agricultural Land Development Board and Ebonyi Fertilizer for Board were also inaugurated.
