Abakaliki
Governnor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has called on the 204 foreign scholarship beneficiaries to be worthy ambassadors of the state as they depart for their studies at United Kingdom.
Governor Nwifuru made the call on Saturday, while flagging off the scholarship scheme at Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke. He warned the beneficiaries not to toe the path of self- acclaimed leader of the poscribed indigenous people of Biafra, Simon Ekpa.
According to the governor, Simon Ekpa was sent on scholarship by the state government to further is education, but rather than bringing good name to the state, became thorn in the flesh of the people, instigate crisis and ordering the killing of people in different part of the South East zone.
The state government awarded scholarships to over 200 Ebonyians to further their education in various field of study.
Governor Nwifuru revealed that the state spent over 500 millions of naira to ensure the beneficiaries get to their destination safely.
He appreciated the CEO of Air peace, Mr. Allen Onyema who gave the students air ticket at affordable price.
Speaking " I want you to know very well that what Allen Onyema did to us is more than 60% of the total cost , the one he paid his more than 60%.
We are very much grateful to leaders that encouraged us to embark on this journey, this is a project that many claimed that it is not a practical thing they are not seeing it, for me who is also believed that physical science can put food on our table. I believe that empowering human being is more expensive than building infrastructure but is also more productive, than infrastructure put in place , so spending huge amount of money roughly about 15 to 14 billion naira because as you are going many people talked about it here, I never wanted to say anything about it that you should not work, you know we paid you living allowance after paying for your accommodation in London we paid living allowance. That is almost going to one million naira per month , your living allowance, because we paid five thousand pounds to you as your living allowance, 2200 is 11. something million naira and that is almost nine hundred and sixteen thousand naira per month. Nobody is getting that here as a salary, including me the governor. My salary is not up to that.
My salary is five hundred and thirteen thousand naira.
"Once again, I will also want to use this medium to thank our great stakeholders, the famous founding fathers, the great that suffered for the creation of this great state. I want to thank them, and thank our mothers led by my dear wife, she has been there 24 hours encouraging me, there was a terrible challenge and I want to let you know that this your scholarship scheme would have sacked SSG, some did terrible thing, they piled lot of pressure on the women, when I look at her I say my sister u will succeed. In a very disadvantage there is lot of advantage, I want you all to remember her in prayer, because she suffered a lot for you to get where u are today.
"To our scholars , I leave u with this , never forget where you come from, I will want you to remember the aspiration of our people inspire you. And let the challenges fuel your determination to succeed, while there , do not forget we are counting on you to return to ur dear state as our great leaders, the achievement we are expecting from you is very heavy, the new innovations we are expecting from you is very heavy , Don't dare to think of how to disappoint us, we will never take it. And we must compel you to deliver, we are not also going to leave you like others. Remember our brother that is causing crisis that is asking people to kill people in this state,Simon Ekpa, remember he was sent to Finland to study on scholarship, don't toe his path if you do that we will regret sending you".
Ebonyi APC Boss, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, EBSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Chigozie Ogbu, Senator Sylvanus Ngiji Ngele, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, among other speakers at the event eulogized the governor for investing hugely in the future of Ebonyi people and enjoined the benefiting students to make best use of the opportunity and make the state, their Communities and families proud.
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