In a bid to mitigate the scorching effect of Nigeria’s poor economy, especially on indigent but brilliant students, the Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU), has inaugurated the DELSU Indigent Students Scholarship Programme with 69 initial beneficiaries.
At the flag off ceremony at the 750 Hall A, Campus 3, where the beneficiaries received letters of award, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), and Chairman of the Award Committee, Professor (Mrs) Rosemary Okoh described the event as “epoch making, the first of its kind in the University”.
Professor Egwunyenga explained that the move was a part of the University’s Corporate Social Responsibility in response to the deepening misery in the country, and provide succour to some of the indigent but brilliant students, adding that DELSU was joining well over 20 other Universities in Nigeria who had provided some form of support system for financially vulnerable but brilliant students. According to the Professor of Parasitology and Public Health, the intervention of the University in this regard showed compassion and a testament to DELSU management determination to providing equal opportunity for every student, regardless of their financial background.
While commending the Committee put together to select recipients, the top University administrator also congratulated the recipients who were found worthy for the award and their belief in DELSU, coupled with their hard-work and resilience. “Each of you is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right opportunities”, he enthused. “We celebrate your achievement, your incredible story of triumph over adversity. We recognize your efforts and enjoin you not to relax, always bear in mind the transformational power of education”.
He enjoined the awardees to stay focused on their studies, depend totally on God, the source of all good things, adding that “this is just the beginning. Use your education to make a positive impact in your community and uplift others”. The 69 recipients, spread across the faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Medical Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law and Management Sciences all showed financial incapacitation, with many on the verge of deferment or outright withdrawal from studies.
The biggest beneficiaries were the Agbomedarho family whose four children were found eligible for the award. They are: Winner Agbomedarho, a 200 level Medical student; God’streasure, a 300 level Medical student; Reignette, a 400 level Law student and Blessed, a 300 level Nursing student. They expressed excitement at the award, noting that their mother had been borrowing, clearly beyond her capacity, to keep them as they had long lost their father. “We are very grateful for this gesture”, they all chorused.
A few other recipients bared their minds on the positive development. Precious Esuku, a 200 level Sociology student said he knew about the scheme through his department, adding that he applied because of his indigent status as his parents often borrowed to pay his school fees.
On his part, Blessing Okonigbo, a 300 level Botany student, got to know about the opportunity through a friend in another department. He said he applied because he was in financial need. According to him, ’’my parents are trying, but anything I can do to lessen their burden, I will do”. Indeed, he has been “hustling”, providing logistics and secretarial services to augment his parent’s provisions.
For Bethel Agbaga, a 200 level Health and Safety Education student, she saw the advert on the DELSU portal. Describing herself as “indigent”, she claimed that the burden of supporting her in school had become too much for her mother, with her father staying aloof. “Sometimes, I hear my Mother cry, even though she tries to hide the tears”, she recalled, adding that “she borrowed money in my first year”. No doubt, this would be a great relief for her mother, she said.
For Favour Uyo, a 200 level English and Literary Studies student, who notified her pastor of her intention to apply for deferment of studies as the deadline for school fees payment was drawing menacingly close. According to her, it was through the Pastor she learnt of the scholarship programme and quickly ‘logged’ on it, even though skeptically. Despite applying, she still continued to process her deferment papers. She said the decision was to relieve her mother of the burden her education had become. Of course, her joy knew no bounds when she was announced as one of the successful candidates. An elated Favour gushed. “To DELSU, I say a big thank you for giving me the opportunity. God used all of you to bless me. I’m going to make my mother proud, I am going to make DELSU proud. The University will never regret giving me this opportunity”.
The event was witnessed by senior members of the University community including the Provost, Oleh Campus, Professor Elo Ibagere; the Registrar, Mrs. Rufina Ufiofio, represented by Mrs. Mercy Irivwieri, a Former Admission Officer; the Bursar, Mrs. Otimeyin Ekakitie-Omajuwa; the University Librarian, Dr. (Mrs) Josephine Onawhakpor, represented by Dr. James Chukwusa; Provost, College of Health Sciences, Professor Emmanuel Odokuma; Dean of Faculty of Law, Professor (Mrs) Beauty Alloh and Dean of Faculty of Arts, Professor Nelson Edewor.
Professor Ben Nwanne,
Director, Ceremonials, Information and Public Relations, (CIPR)
Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
