PRESIDENT JONATHAN WARNS GOVT FUNCTIONARIES IN BAYELSA AGAINST INTERFERENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION PROCESS

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WARNS GOVT FUNCTIONARIES IN BAYELSA AGAINST INTERFERENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION PROCESS

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged government functionaries and other influential personalities not to interfere with the process of selecting future beneficiaries of the "The Bayelsa Restoration Scholarship Scheme"
Speaking at an interactive forum with 100 graduands who benefited from the scheme and their parents at the Banquet Hall in Government House, Yenagoa, President Jonathan noted that non-interference in the selection process would help to ensure that only deserving students irrespective of their backgrounds get enlisted in the programme.
According to the President, the Scheme which he started in 2006 as the then Governor of BayelsaState, was designed to send brilliant but less privileged students to some of the prestigious schools with a view to providing them with the best secondary education available in the country.
 President Jonathan further stated that the programme was also intended to develop the human capacity base of Bayelsa students in order to make them more competitive and dynamic in their search for top quality jobs in the oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy.
 Dr. Jonathan who said he visited some of the schools where the students were placed shortly before his elevation as Vice-President, advised Governor Dickson to shop for the best schools to enable beneficiaries of the scheme compete favourably with their peers.
The President observed that every child has the opportunity to excel and therefore should be encouraged to harness his or her God-given potentials.Pointing out that the programme suffered set backs in the hands of the previous administration in the state, Dr. Jonathan expressed appreciation to Governor Seriake Dickson for reviving the scheme, adding that the state will benefit maximally from it in the future.
He also acknowledged the vision and contributions of former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and a business consultant, Sullivan Akachukwu, for providing the platform for the effective take-off of the programme.
 To promote research and knowledge in the country's universities, Dr. Jonathan said his administration will continue to encourage lecturers to study and acquire PhD in their various fields of study.
 Earlier in his remarks, the Bayelsa state Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo stated that the Dickson-led government is determined to revamp the educationalsystem in the state.
Chief Adikumo said the present administration has since keyed into the vision Dr. Jonathan had for the state, noting that another batch of 200 students will soon be dispatched to schools in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
The Commissioner noted that the process for the placement of those students, which includes an orientation programme had been planned and the process will be inclusive as the 200 will meet with the earlier 100, who had completed their programmes to exchange ideas.
Chief Adikumo who thanked the President for instituting the programme, urged the beneficiaries to prove their worth to justify government's investment in them.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State