Port harcourt: No fewer than 32 students under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Postgraduate Scholarship Programme have graduated with distinction from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. The students received their postgraduate degrees in various fields during the graduation ceremony held in Coventry on Thursday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC Managing Director, in a statement issued by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, commended the graduates for their accomplishments. Ogbuku, who led a delegation to the ceremony, stated that the academic success had brought immense pride to the NDDC, the people of the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole. He emphasized that the scholars have been excellent ambassadors for the Niger Delta region, highlighting their admirable character.
Ogbuku noted that previous beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme had established a strong foundation and set commendable standards for future scholars to emulate. He further revealed that 18 scholars are also expected to achieve distinction at Coventry University in 2024. The consistent achievements recorded under the scholarship program demonstrated the commission’s commitment to human capital development.
He remarked that education remains a powerful instrument for transforming the fortunes of the Niger Delta region. Ogbuku expressed his delight in witnessing the outstanding performance of the scholars, which affirmed the transparency and merit-based selection process of the beneficiaries.
The managing director suggested that scholars who did not graduate with distinction might have faced challenges related to limited computer proficiency. He noted that a lack of computer literacy had been a significant obstacle for some scholars studying abroad due to the extensive integration of technology and blended learning techniques in the UK educational system. Ogbuku indicated that future applicants for the NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship must provide proof of computer proficiency.
Ogbuku also explained that the visit to Coventry provided an opportunity for the NDDC delegation to explore potential collaborative partnerships between Coventry University and universities in the Niger Delta region.
