Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said that over six hundred indigenous students in Rivers state have benefited from the state’s scholarship scheme for PAMO University of Medical Sciences in the last four years.
He said the scholarship, which costs over N2.9 billion to implement annually, has helped in birthing medical professionals and practitioners from the university.
Recall that the governor had in February 2018, given an N500 million grant to the indigenous private university and also promised a five-year sponsorship for 100 indigent students in the state.
Wike made the disclosure in his acceptance speech on Saturday, at the convocation ceremony of PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, where he was conferred an honorary doctorate degree for his contributions to the development, peace, and democracy of Nigeria.
According to him, “Back in 2017, we instituted a special public scholarship, covering tuition, accommodation and feeding to encourage our indigenous students to take advantage of the university and become graduates and professionals of the areas of interest.
“We have religiously implemented this scholarship programme for four consecutive years with almost 600 beneficiaries as at the last academic session.
“Today, I am very pleased to note that all the graduating students of Rivers State origin are scholars of the Rivers State Government educated and trained with public funds.
“In addition to the scholarship, which now costs well over N2.9 billion to implement annually, we have also made several generous financial donations towards the infrastructural development of the university.”
Speaking further, he revealed that his predecessor and current Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, worked hard to frustrate his confirmation as minister by the Senate.
Wike, who was Minister of State for Education under the Goodluck Jonathan led-administration explained that although Amaechi nominated him for a ministerial appointment, he was not the latter’s preferred candidate.
Also receiving an honorary doctorate degree was General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), former head of state.
