The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has celebrated 32 scholars from its foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme who graduated with distinctions from Coventry University in the United Kingdom, reaffirming its commitment to human capital development in the region.
Leading a delegation of senior officials to the graduation ceremony in Coventry, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, commended the scholars for their outstanding academic performance and exemplary conduct.
In a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Seledi Thomson-Wakama, members of the Commission’s delegation were listed as Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne; Director of Social Services, Dr. Angela Awele Chukwudifu; and Deputy Director, Dr. Bomiegha Ehiokioya.
Dr. Ogbuku described the scholars as worthy ambassadors of the Niger Delta, noting that no beneficiary of the NDDC scholarship programme had ever been associated with any form of misconduct abroad.
“This is evident in the honours our scholars continue to receive from universities in the United Kingdom,” he said. “Their achievements and discipline speak volumes about the potential of the Niger Delta.”
He further noted that academic excellence has been a consistent hallmark of the programme, recalling that 18 scholars also graduated with distinction from Coventry University in the previous year.
Reiterating the Commission’s commitment to human capital development, Ogbuku described education as a transformative tool essential for changing the fortunes of the region.
“I am thrilled to join our scholars here in Coventry to celebrate this milestone. Their success validates the transparency and merit-based process through which beneficiaries are selected,” he added.
Dr. Ogbuku said the visit also provided a platform to explore potential partnerships between Coventry University and universities in the Niger Delta.
However, he acknowledged that some scholars had encountered challenges due to limited digital literacy, noting that future applicants to the NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme would be required to demonstrate proficiency in basic computer skills.
“The education model in the UK is technology-driven and incorporates blended learning techniques, which may be unfamiliar to some Nigerian students. We must begin to bridge that gap,” he stated.
One of the graduating scholars, Mr. Royal Nwachukwu, who earned a degree in Cybersecurity, expressed gratitude to the Commission for the opportunity, describing the scholarship as a life-changing initiative.
He appealed for the continuation and expansion of the programme, noting that it had significantly improved the career prospects of young people from the region.
“We remain committed to excellence and will use our knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta,” he said.
