By Frank Ulom
Last week Friday, Governor Bassey announced the introduction of special grants for medical students and the resumption of bursary payments to students of Cross River State in tertiary institutions.
Otu stated that the move is part of his administration’s renewed commitment to education, human capital development and the future of the state.
The governor disclosed this at the State Executive Council meeting in Calabar, stressing that no Cross River student should be forced to abandon their studies because of financial hardship.
“In line with our commitment to invest in the future of Cross River State, I am pleased to announce that my administration will resume the payment of bursaries to Cross River students in tertiary institutions in the coming months,” he stated.
He added that the intervention would mark the return of educational support schemes that had been dormant for more than a decade.
“Additionally, we will introduce special grants for our medical students to support their training and ease the financial burden of their studies. This intervention had not happened in over a decade.
“It is our way of reaffirming that education remains a top priority, and that no Cross River student should be forced to abandon their dreams due to financial constraints,” Otu said.
The announcement drew applause as one of the major highlights of the meeting, which also outlined a broader policy direction focusing on health, education and power.
The governor acknowledged that while the administration had recorded strides since assuming office in May 2023, some sectors still require renewed attention.
“I must acknowledge the fact that we may not have performed to the level of our expectations in some sectors. As a result, we shall renew our energies and attention to new areas of focus, namely: Health, Education and Power, among others,” he stated.
