WARRI -Embattled ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo have against all storm splashed special masters degree scholarships to seven first class graduates of Ijaw from the Benson Idaghosa University, BIU, Benin City, Edo State to study in any foreign Institution of their Choice.
The former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, gave the scholarship to the seven first class graduates through his Non governmental organization, NGO, the ” Tompolo Foundation” in Warri as a mark of rewarding the students for their academic excellence and hard work during their studies in the University.
Presenting the award letters to the first class graduates, Comr. Paul Bebenimibo, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation while handing over the letters to the beneficiaries, charged them to use the opportunity wisely to make Nigeria, Niger Delta and the Ijaw Nation proud.
The letter read in part: “The foundation is well pleased with your outstanding performance in your undergraduate studies in the prestigious Benson Idaghosa University BIU, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Based on it, we are compelled and pleased to introduce a special scholarship programme in assisting you in your educational career dream “.
Speaking to Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper after the presentation, Comr. Bebenimibo, disclosed that the award of the scholarship becomes necessary as such gesture will afford the beneficiaries the opportunity to further their studies, he maintained that the students are to choose any country of their choice while charging them to come out with flying colours in their respective Institutions that will in turn make the Country and the Foundation proud. He charges them to be to good ambassadors as they go about attaining their masters degree.
The Executive Secretary of the foundation also noted that investing in education especially in the volatile Niger Delta region will no doubt change the Niger Delta agitation that is currently mired with arm struggle as it will open up a new dimension to the Niger Delta question with an intellectual approach.
He further expresses happiness towards Gbaramatu Kingdom for dishing out several graduates into the Nigerian State annually in different disciplines. Comr. Paul reiterated that the special scholarship is a free one for beneficiaries to choose any country of their choice.
Also speaking, in similar manner Engr. Kestin Pondi, one of the executive director of the foundation advised the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, Niger Delta and the foundation while charging them to put in their very best in coming out with good grades.
Mr. Diamond Fianka, a beneficiary to the scholarship scheme, thanked the lord almighty for making him part of this unimaginable gesture while maintaining that Tompolo have indeed make his dream a reality. Fianka opined that after his graduation from the Benson Idaghosa University last year, he has been handicapped as series of applications have been written to Oil Companies in order to further his education but regrettably noted that such efforts have not yielded any fruitful results before the opportunity being offered by the former militant leader, Tompolo. In his Words ” This is a dream come true as i will not disappoint Lord almighty and Tompolo.” Diamond also pledges to be a good ambassador to the Tompolo foundation and indeed the Country at large.
The beneficiaries of the special post graduate (Masters) scholarship scheme are:
Okoro Evans Beke – Department of Business Administration; Ari Ebimotimi Ephraim – Department of Political Science and Public Administration; Ikpa Azaere Deborah – Department of Political Science and Public Administration; Odiki Seimiekumo Otogo – Political Science and Public Administration; Briyai Rachael Akpos – Department of International Studies and Diplomacy; Fianka Diamond Tamaraubra – Department of Computer Science; Boleidowa Lucky – Department of Business Administration.
The presentation was witnessed by other prominent dignitaries of the foundation Mr. Job Bebenimibo; director of education; Dr. Clarkson Agagha, director of health and Chief Moses Bebenimibo; Chairman of Kunukunuma Community with the host of other dignitaries.
Follow us on twitter @gbaramatuvoice
Copyright 2016 GbaramatVoice Newspaper. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.gbaramatuvoicenews.com as the source.
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.