The Nigerian Legion, Rivers State Command, on Friday awarded university scholarships to 50 students who are Children, Widows and Dependants of our Fallen Heroes.
The event, held at the Conference Hall of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, was Chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Rivers State Prof Kaniye Ebeku, and was well attended by Legionnaires, representatives of the Nigerian Army and families of Fallen Heroes.
Speaking at the event Prof. Ebeku hailed the leader of the Legion for his passion for driving the cause of the legion and charged the beneficiaries of the scholarship to be focused.
“You have an organisation that is responsible and led by a responsible person. The dividend of what you are getting today is because of his dogged fight and the request he has never failed to present before the state governor”
“When you enter the school with scholarship, don’t joke with it; make sure you use it to succeed so that you will be able to tell the story and what have been done for you, and remember you owe society to do the same”.
Professor Ebeku stressed that the state government has always supported the Legion, noting that the governor recognises the labour of the Heroes past and has demonstrated this by supporting the Legion.
“The Governor of this state, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, will always say he will never forget their service to this nation and what you are seeing here today is the major contribution of the state government and the benevolence of His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Wike”.
“Today will mark the beginning of good things to come; do not take this opportunity for granted. You have an organisation that is responsible and this is coming to wipe tears from the faces of many widows and children who hitherto do not have anyone to assist them”.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Rivers State Chapter, Justice Chichi, recognised the efforts of the Rivers State government in floating the scholarship program.
He said: “the key of the flagship was laid in the year 2020. Our patron, His Excellency, gave an executive approval for the establishment of this scholarship scheme, thereafter based on recommendation of the scholarship board, record was broken as 65 students drawn from the 6 geo-political zones were awarded scholarship to study in the Nigerian universities and this was funded by the Rivers State government”.
Speaking further, Chichi revealed that the policy has been enlarged to accommodate Widows. Other speakers also commended the State Governor for His benevolence.