GOVERNMENT of Ebonyi State has approved the sum of N2 billion for the take-off of the scholarship package for a total of 597 successful candidates who applied for scholarships in the State.
The 597 are to study in different Universities of their choices in the Country.
Jude Chikadibia Okpor, Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State, stated this to journalists in Abakaliki, the State Capital, on Tuesday during a media briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
He said the N2 billion would cover both school fees and research work and it would be paid directly into the institutions’ accounts.
“Following Council’s approval of the list of 597 successful candidates to study in Nigerian Universities as submitted by the State Scholarship Board, over Two Billion Naira was approved by EXCO. This amount covers school fees, research funding and living expenses of the scholarship beneficiaries”, he said.
He explained that the Ccouncil further resolved that the research funds be paid to the Universities alongside the School fees to avoid mismanagement by beneficiaries.
“That civil servants who sail through the eligibility processes of the scholarship programme are to be granted study leave with pay in addition to other privileges”, he added.
Okpor further stated that in order to ensure smooth take-off of academic activities in some State-owned Universities such as the University of ICT, Oferekpe, Agbaja and Aeronautic Engineering University, Ezza, the State Executive Council approved eight faculties and hostel buildings.
