by Habiba Salihu
LONDON – No fewer than 215 beneficiaries of the President Goodluck Jonathan Scholarship Scheme for students studying in the U.S. and UK have been rated among top grades by their various universities.
It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, established the scholarship scheme for innovation and development in order to further the education of students with first class degrees to 25 top rated universities in the world.
Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during an interactive session with the students in London, that he was glad that the scheme has taken -off.
He said that the American system of education has a 4 point maximum scale, but that most of the students were on 3.8 or 4 points which he said was very outstanding.
He said he was happy that no student has failed to transit from Masters degree to PhD, , which he said was a also a good record.
” It means that this scheme itself has showed that the quality of our product is good,”he said.
Okojie who also doubles as the Chairman of the Scheme, said that the performance of the students were being monitored on a regular basis” adding that “we monitor them and get reports from their supervisors.”
According to him, no student has dropped out of the programme since it began, noting that such scheme is one of the administration’s best scholarship programmes.
While addressing concerns of delayed allowances and entitlements raised by the students, Okojie said that the issue was being addressed by a new project implementation strategy committee.
He tasked the student on the need to return home upon completion of their studies” you are the next generation, on completion of your courses you are expected back to the country”.
” You are all expected to return back home to contribute to nation building, by bringing innovations that will drive the country’s economy,” Okojie told the students.
Also speaking, Kunle Bamgbose, Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, urged the students to continue to strive for excellence in their studies.
” You are Nigeria’s testimony, you have done well to have been selected, it is time to make the nation proud, your success will determine the continuity of the Programme.”
He said that most developed nations invested in their people, and that was what the country was emulating in building the capacity of the students .
” In spite of the challenges facing the country, Nigeria is the only place where you can be honoured, there is the need for you to give back to the society upon graduation,” he said.
Some of the students who spoke to NAN expressed gratitude for the opportunity to further their education, and promised to return home after their studies.
NAN reports that beneficiaries of the scheme in the UK are studying various courses in five universities, namely the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge , Edingburg and the University College London as well as the Imperial College. (NAN)
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