Nigerian under-graduate and post graduate students who are departing to China and Russia Wednesday on Bilateral Education Agreements have been advised to shun crime and promote the image of the country during their duration of study.
Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike who gave the warning on Tuesday night at the close of the one day orientation programme organised for the students by the Federal Ministry of Education, said the students should work hard as there will be no room for extension of the duration of studies for any student who fails to graduate within the stipulated time.
He explained that President Goodluck Jonathan remained committed to training Nigerian youths locally and internationally to take over the running of the country for sustained national development.
According to him: “The scholarship programme, as we are all aware is a reward for excellence and encouragement to those brilliant Nigerian children who have excelled. It is also an avenue to make quality education accessible to these bright ones in line with the transformation agenda of Mr President.
“It is important to note that to be eligible for this award, the candidate must have obtained distinctions ( that As and Bs) in five subjects including Mathematics and English Language at one sitting. Applications are completed on the Federal Scholarship Board website, after nationwide publications in print and electronic media. This is followed by written aptitude tests usually conducted simultaneously in six geo-political zones.”
The minister said that in addition to the tuition, accommodation and little stipend to be provided by the two countries, the Jonathan administration will pay the scholars $6000USD per annum for feeding, local transport, equipment/books, $250USD for warm clothing allowance, N60, 000 as take off grant for under-graduate students and N100, 000 as take off grants for post-graduate students while a one-way ticket to the country of study will be issued to them at the beginning and the return ticket paid for by Nigerian mission in their country of study. He added that medical students are entitled to $500USD as medical allowances.
He expressed gratitude to Russia and China for assisting the Federal Government improve her manpower needs.
In his address, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala commended President Jonathan for ensuring that the nation’s education sector is on the path of growth. He enjoined the students to work towards returning to contribute their quota to nation building.
Responding on behalf of the students, Adewunmi Olajimi who will study Psychology in Russia thanked the President for the opportunity, saying the students will not let him down.
Sixty under-graduate students will be studying different courses in Russia, while eight post graduate students will be pursuing their masters and Ph.Ds in China. The scholars will be departing Nigeria on Wednesday September 18.
Source WorldStage News .
