In a demonstration of commitment to academic empowerment and human capital development, Hon. Oden Ewa, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations in Cross River State, has awarded scholarships to 100 postgraduate students in universities across the state.
The announcement was made on Thursday, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Central Postgraduate Students’ Union to Hon. Ewa at his residence.
The scholarship initiative, designed to cover the beneficiaries’ school charges, is part of Hon. Ewa’s broader vision to foster intellectual growth and sustainable development.
The meeting between Hon. Ewa and the union’s leadership featured meaningful discussions on the challenges faced by postgraduate students and the strategic role of education in societal advancement.
Hon. Mark Piece Osim, President of the Central Postgraduate Students’ Union, expressed profound gratitude for the initiative, commending Hon. Ewa’s visionary leadership. He highlighted the importance of postgraduate students as a reservoir of knowledge, asserting that the scholarships represent a strategic investment in the state’s intellectual and socio-economic future.
Several beneficiaries, including Mbang Edet, a PhD candidate in Biochemistry, and Egu Arikpo, a PhD scholar in Science Education, described the intervention as transformative. They shared personal accounts of financial struggles that had hindered their academic journeys, emphasising that the scholarships provide a crucial lifeline to achieve their educational goals.
Hon. Oden Ewa, in his remarks, reiterated the importance of prioritising intellectual empowerment as a cornerstone of leadership. He acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by many postgraduate students and assured them that this intervention is part of a broader agenda to support academic excellence. He pledged continued support for the Postgraduate Students’ Union, emphasising that no capable and willing individual should be denied education due to financial barriers.
This initiative not only alleviates financial burdens but also reaffirms Hon. Oden Ewa’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders, scholars, and innovators in Cross River State.