From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
No fewer than 72 Nigerian scholars would depart Nigeria at the weekend for Hungary on the platform of the Federal Government scholarship for undergraduates and postgraduates programmes.
At a brief pre-departure meeting with the officials of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, on Thursday, the scholars were congratulated for being privileged to participate in the Federal Government scholarship.
Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, who addressed the scholars at the meeting reminded them of the essence of their journey which, he said, is the acquire the relevant education and skills that would enable contribute meaningfully to the country and themselves.
The Minister told the scholars that scholarship is a reward for excellence and an encouragement to brilliant Nigerians who could not afford to sponsor their studies in foreign countries.
He said that the Federal Government had in 1999, revitalized the scholarship scheme by investing more in National and International programmes in a bid to strengthen the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) with development partners to develop her manpower needs.
“Today, in spite of the global economic meltdown, the number of our development partners have increased and many of them now offer scholarship to Nigerians. The active countries include Hungary, China Algeria, Romania, Morocco, Serbia, Mexico, Egypt and zuela. Other non regulars include Macedonia, Poland, South Korea, Greece, Japan, Tunisia and Turkey.
“In order to reciprocate the good gestures, Nigeria also offered scholarship awards to China and Romania in the past and hope to reactivate the gesture as these countries and others Indicate interest,” the Minister said.
He also reminded the students that their parents have spent a lot of resources on them, hence the country expect their return at the end of their studies to assist in making Nigeria a better place by contributing their quota to the development of their nation.
He, therefore, urged the students to polish the good qualities that they have been exposed to and be willing to learn, re-learn and un-learn as they begin another phase of their life’s journey.
The Minister also enjoined the parents of the awardees to always uphold them in prayers and encourage them with sound advice at all times so as to make them and Nigeria proud by being worthy Ambassadors in the country of their studies.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejoh, in his remarks, urged the scholars to maximally utilize the opportunity being provided to them.
He encouraged them to acquire requisite skills that may be available in their host country of study needed for national development, and also push the boundaries of knowledge, explore their passion, expand their horizon, embrace new challenges, embrace the power of knowledge as a tool for effective change and make the most of the resources available to you.
He confirmed that Nigeria had signed Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) with many countries including the Government of Hungary, hence the Hungary Government often offer scholarship to Nigeria every year.
“This year, the Government of Hungary awarded 72 postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships to Nigerian scholars to study in various higher institutions in Hungary, and you are the chosen ones.”
Earlier, the Director, Federal Scholarship Board, Mrs Astra Ndajiwo, said that the scholarship was opened to Nigerian citizens in 2022 with 150 entries.
Ndajiwo said that after rigorous screening, 72 of the 150 applicants who scaled through received their September to December allowances for their final departure to Hungary.
She added that subsequent payment of their allowances would start from January 2024 and would be remitted through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Embassy of Hungary.
Mr Ayodeji Akerele, who spoke on behalf of the awardees promised the Federal Government and their parents to portray the good image of the country as well as return to contribute their quotas to national development.