Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State, Professor Greg Ibe, has said his annual scholarship scheme has nothing to do with his political ambition.
Professor Ibe who made the explanation in an interview with newsmen after awarding university scholarship to 100 students at Gregory University Uturu, said the gesture was borne out of his passion to give hope to youths.
He said that education remains the best form of empowerment that could be given to any child, hence his decision to assist mainly indigent students accomplish their education dreams.
The Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies said over 500 students had benefited from the annual scheme since its inception many years ago, adding that it is open to both indigenes and non-indigenes alike.
Presenting the letters of scholarship to the beneficiaries, Vice Chancellor, Gregory University Uturu, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, said at least N800 million would be invested in the project as it costs at least N800, 000 to train each of them per session.
He said the gesture which is courtesy of Gregory Iyke Foundation was aimed at enabling indigent students actualise their education dreams.
Professor Uwakwe, noted that the foundation had since inception been actively involved in granting scholarship to deserving students of Igboland and beyond.
He noted that the scholarship cut across various disciplines such as Engineering, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Law, Education, etc.
“The scholarship scheme has contributed and still contributes to human capacity development, and the generation of relevant manpower and expertise in critical areas for the development of Abia and Nigeria in general,” the VC said.
In a remark, the Director General of Greg Ibe Campaign Organisation, Dr Longman Nwachukwu, challenged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture with academic excellence.
He described the gesture as apt considering the high cost of education in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Chidera Anya, thanked the benefactor for the kind gesture, and promised that they would not let him down.
Gregory University Uturu is one of the up-coming private universities in the South-East with bias in sciences, engineering, law medicine and pharmacy among others.
The Chancellor said three new programmes: Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Dentistry would soon be introduced in the university.
