River State Governor,Nyesom Wike has disclosed that his administration has
spent N 1.4b so far on scholarships for Rivers State students schooling
abroad.
The Governor who was ably represented by Her Excellency, The Deputy
Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, made the disclosure at the
Inter-denominational Church Service , commemorating the 55th National Day
Anniversary, which held today at the St. Paul’s (Ang.) Cathedral Church,
Diobu, PortHarcourt.
His words : ” We thank the CAN president for expressing his concern about
our students and want to assure you that His Excellency has so far spent N
1.4b so far on overseas scholarships and just last Thursday ,he released N
491 m to make sure that every child of Rivers State schooling abroad must
receive money. We would continue to help the children irrespective of how
they got there.”
The Governor was thankful to God for keeping the unity of Nigeria intact,
and was optimistic that Nigeria will overcome it present economic
downturn.
He also believed that Nigeria will surmount its challenges of
underdevelopment,insecurity and poverty because Nigeria is a blessed
nation that must rid itself of bitterness and unforgiveness.
Speaking earlier at the occasion, the Archbishop of the Niger Delta
Province and Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Most Rev.(Dr.) Ignatius
C.O. Kattey, whose sermon was themed : FEAR GOD, remarked that “human
beings fear what they should not fear and fear not what they should fear.”
He noted that no new state had been created since 1999 and observed that
corruption was still rampant.
He said the security situation had not improved stressing that the Army
and Police cannot handle it alone.
Also speaking at the event, the Overseer of Royal House of Grace Church
and President of Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, Rivers State
Chapter said that President Muhammadu Buhari should emulate the forgiving
spirit of late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
He said: ” President Muhammadu Buhari has the chance to be like Nelson
Mandela. He should rule this country not as the President of Nigeria or
the President of the APC or any political party but as a father of the
nation.”