Residents of Ebonyi State have commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for expanding access to higher education through a scholarship initiative that has created global academic opportunities for 1,000 indigenes of the state.
The commendation followed revelations by the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Scholarship Board, Chief Chaka Nweze, who described the scholarship programme as one of the flagship achievements of the Nwifuru administration under its "People's Charter of Needs" agenda.
Speaking during an interview on the administration's impact on the education sector as part of activities marking Nigeria's Democracy Day celebration, Nweze said the governor had demonstrated a strong commitment to human capital development through sustained investment in education.
According to him, the scholarship scheme targets 1,000 beneficiaries, comprising 300 students for overseas postgraduate studies and 700 others enrolled in higher institutions across Nigeria.
He said the beneficiaries are pursuing postgraduate programmes in critical fields, including engineering, technology, medical sciences, law and other disciplines considered essential to the state's development.
Nweze noted that the selection process for the scholarship programme was strictly merit-based and designed to ensure fairness, inclusivity and equitable representation across the 13 local government areas of the state.
He disclosed that the overseas beneficiaries are currently studying in reputable universities in the United Kingdom, while others are enrolled in leading Nigerian institutions.
The scholarship board chairman said the programme had continued to record remarkable success, with many beneficiaries graduating with distinctions and some advancing to doctoral studies.
According to him, more than 200 beneficiaries have either completed or are nearing completion of their master's degree programmes, while a second batch of over 90 students recently commenced studies abroad.
Nweze further disclosed that Governor Nwifuru had approved scholarships for 450 students enrolled in National Certificate in Education and degree programmes at the Federal College of Education, Ikwo.
He explained that the state government had paid the students' tuition fees directly to the institution and would also provide annual stipends to support their living expenses.
The chairman added that beyond education, the Nwifuru administration had recorded significant achievements in healthcare, human empowerment, infrastructure development, agriculture and sports.
He expressed confidence that the governor's performance across various sectors would continue to attract public support.
Several residents who spoke on the scholarship initiative described it as a strategic investment in the future of the state, noting that the programme had created opportunities for many young people who otherwise might not have been able to pursue advanced education.
They urged the government to sustain and expand the initiative to enable more Ebonyi indigenes to benefit from quality education and contribute meaningfully to the state's socio-economic development.
