By Onwa Ekor
The Cross River House of Assembly has called on the state government, through the Ministry of Education and the Scholarship Board, to reintroduce scholarship and bursary awards to indigenous students.
This follows the deliberation on a motion presented by the Member representing Yakurr 2 State Constituency and the only female legislator in the Assembly, Hon Mercy Mbang Akpama.
Leading debate on the said motion, Akpama argued that scholarship awards are for deserving students based on merit as well as those viewed as indigent.
She lamented that, for over eight years, the State Scholarship Board has not implemented any scholarship programme, urging them to source scholarship opportunities for deserving students.
“The Board, as part of its mandate, also sources funds from Public-spirited individuals, private companies, NGOs, NDDC, Central Bank of Nigeria etc, to enable it sponsor scholarship programmes.
“If there is no urgent action taken by the Board to reintroduce Scholarship/Bursary programmes, l am afraid, the efforts towards developing manpower in the state through our educational system, may be defeated,” Akpama informed.
Co-sponsors of the motion including the Deputy Leader of the 10th Assembly, Rt Hon Davies Etta, maintained that the reintroduction of scholarship and bursary would tremendously enhance the improvement of education in the state.
The Lawmakers restated Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to improving the educational sector as evident in the renovation of the State Library Complex, payment of WAEC fees, amongst other interventions.
They enjoined the state government to implement a special fund targeted at students’ scholarship to enhance the sustainability of the programme.
Commenting, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, thanked the sponsor of the motion, as well as other members for supporting the motion which he described as timely.
He assured that the governor, who has demonstrated responsiveness to the well being of Cross Riverians, will respond favourably to the resolution.
