By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
In order to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal, a charity organization; Florence Agogo Foundation has awarded bursary to over fifty (50) indigent students across the eighteen (18) Local Government Area of Cross River State.s
Speaking at a dinner night and the scholarship award ceremony yesterday in Calabar, CEO of the organization, Mrs. Florence Agogo, said the gesture was an opportunity to positively impact on the lives of fellow Nigerians.
The event was organized in collaboration with the National Association Cross River State Students (NACRISS) worldwide.
She stated that the award, which is an annual event, was the foundation’s modest way of improving the academic pursuit of indigent students of Cross River State origin, especially in a time like this when Nigerians are going through difficulties occasioned by the petrol subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
She said no stone will be left unturned to ensure the sustenance of the award which cuts across the payment of school fees, faculty fees, students’ house rent, transportation fare, feeding among other gestures.
According to her, “This is a dinner event of the National Association of Cross River State Students (NACRISS) worldwide in collaboration with Florence Agogo foundation. So, it’s a dinner and a scholarship disbursement and award night.
“Florence Agodo foundation is a charity organization that specializes in the need of children. Our areas of focus are healthcare, education and empowerment.
“In the area of education, we looked around the eighteen (18) Local Government Areas of Cross River State and selected our beneficiaries.
“I am a Cross Riverian from Obudu Local Government Area, and overtime, I have tried my best to see how we can help to improve the academic sojourn of the indigents in our midst.
“So, when the president of NACRISS reached out to me, I felt in this kind of event, we needed to have the presence of all the benefiting students so that we can assist them in the payment of their school fees, faculty fees, transportation, house rent, feeding and so on.”
She explained that the award was only open to students of Cross River State origin studying in any recognized university in Nigeria.
Earlier, in his address at the occasion, Special Adviser on General Duties to Cross River State governor, Mr. Ekpenyong Akiba, commended the organizers and sponsors of the award ceremony for complimenting the government’s efforts in the educational sub sector.
Akiba, whois the chairman of the occasion as well as one of the honorary awardees, said the Foundation’s bursary award to indigent students in the state was in line with the policy trust of the Governor Bassey Otu led administration.
He disclosed that in spite of the current economic upheavals in the country, governor Otu remains committed to his government’s obligations to Cross River State students as it regards bursary awards, home and overseas training to all deserving student.
Describing the bursary award as a call to more responsibilities, Akiba charged the beneficiaries to be more studious in order to justify the scholarship.
“The award is commendable. Its a call for more responsibilities and its a way of encouraging us to do more as a government. This award would not have been possible without the impact and support of the people first governor; in terms of his support and recognition of this segment of the society, which is Cross River State students.
“So, I dedicate this award to our governor and all young people in Cross River State, and I implore them to use their youthful energy positively to support the government and be useful to their families and the society. I encourage them to also venture into different skills acquisition programmes, trade and be self-reliant.
“As a government, we would continue to support the students by way of scholarship, by training both within and outside Nigeria, and we would involve knowledgeable students with good ideas in governance because indeed, it is the season of sweetness in Cross River State”, he added.
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