… Says PAP ‘ll support First Class, Second Class Upper Students In Postgraduate studies
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has charged students under the Amnesty scholarship scheme to intensify efforts to sustain their record of academic excellence in the universities.
Otuaro spoke while visiting the PAP scholarship students at the Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, the Western Delta University, Oghara, and the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, all in Delta State stressed the need for academic excellence.
Otuaro was quoted in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, that this was in line with the policy of the Tinubu administration to channel the human resources in the oil-rich Niger Delta to productive activities as part of the sustained efforts to promote peace for economic growth in the area.
The PAP boss, who was briefed differently by the Vice-Chancellors of the three institutions, promised that his office would give the necessary support to brilliant and serious-minded students under the scheme who might want to do a masters degree if they are able to secure admission.
He said, “Formal education is a critical aspect of this programme. We have produced many students who have First Class, Second Class Upper while others made distinctions at postgraduate level.
“These excellent grades are a very encouraging way of bridging the human capacity development gap in the Niger Delta. I hold the view strongly that formal education would offer self-reliance and higher chances of success to 80 percent of beneficiaries.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme is for the poor. When you make a great grade, we will make efforts to support your post-graduate studies. We are committed to their success in life and will offer necessary support to those who make good grades to get employment opportunities.
“We are happy and indeed the President would be encouraged by the record of performance of students of the various partnering institutions.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the Western Delta University, Prof Augustine Ikelegbe, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Otuaro, a stakeholder with tested passion for the development of the region, to lead the PAP.
Ikelegbe said that the institution runs an innovative mentorship programme and had trained several lecturers with certification to take care of students to prevent them from straying.
He commended the amnesty students for putting up a superlative performance in character and academics
“One of the best students had several prizes. He topped three years of graduating sets and won several prizes. This shows that your students are very good. One other was retained as a graduate assistant in economics. We retain our best. She is on leave of absence in the UK.,” Ikelegbe said
At Edwin Clark University, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Samuel Ugbolue, said that the institution is proud of the achievements of the amnesty students, one of whom was engaged as a Personal Assistant to the Governor of Delta State.
At the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Prof Ibiyinka Fuwape, the Vice-Chancellor, said that the feedback on the students was excellent as some of them made the overall best results in the institution.