The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has awarded N400,000 monetary scholarships to two students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakiliki.
The EBSU’s ASUU Chairman, Dr Okechuwku Igweanyi, presented the cheques to the awardees. He said the beneficiaries were selected through unspecified “transparent and stringent measures” to ensure the most deserving candidates were chosen.
The two winners, Miss Onwe Emmanuella C. and Mr. Chukwuemeka Ogar P. are final-year students in the medicine and surgery department of Ebonyi State University. Each received N200,000, or about $150.
In his speech, the ASUU chairman said it was regrettable that the union was often associated with industrial actions and other negative brands, when in fact, the noble association of intellectuals was fighting for universities’ academic autonomy, prioritized funding from the government, and general high standards of learning for Nigerian universities.
“There is no gainsaying that the ruling class is surreptitiously making education very expensive and unaffordable for common Nigerians. School fees, meals, consumables, and other sundry expenses have become so expensive and beyond the reach of a common man that students who refuse to drop out have been pushed into unthinkable ventures to stay on campus and acquire the necessary university education,” the university don lamented.
He warned that the country is losing many “diligent and intelligent students” who are dropping out of the educational system due to “excruciating economic conditions”.
“Currently, most students do not know what the Bursary award by states and local governments is all about and possibly do not understand that an ordinary student can win a scholarship or grant on merit,” he said.
The two beneficiaries, Miss Onwe Emmanuella and Mr. Chukwuemeka Ogar expressed their overwhelming joy at being selected for the scheme. Emmanuella said she “feels elevated,” and Mr. Ogar said he was simply “too emotional” to express the depth of his gratitude.
Would you consider to Like đź‘Ť, comment and share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles? Thank you.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
