GOVERNOR NWIFURU AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO 187 FRESHMEN, REITERATES INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AS UICTO HOLDS MAIDEN MATRICULATION CEREMONY
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has approved scholarship awards to 187 pioneer students of the University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe.
The Governor announced this on Saturday during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the Ebonyi State University of ICT Oferekpe Agbaja held at the University’s Convocation Arena.
He said the 187 students will be on scholarship for 5 years, even if they fail to access NELFUND scholarships as he vowed zero tolerance to examination malpractice, cultism and other antisocial behaviours .
He explained that the motive behind the establishment of the University is to graduate students to be job creators through innovation and technology, rather than being job seekers in the already saturated job markets.
” In our manifesto, we emphasised entrepreneurship, skill acquisition and education for economic self-reliance at all levels. The reason is not far-fetched. The rate of unemployment is troubling and only entrepreneurship education can empower our young people to be self-employed and create their own job opportunities. This form of education which is the reason behind the establishment of this noble institution, will produce graduates who will think outside the box and provide innovative solutions to the problem. However, when you bend down to take advantage of this vision, you will definitely acquire relevant skills and knowledge that will help you and your families out of poverty.”
Developing infrastructures to drive learning in a comfortable environment, Governor Nwifuru reported that the state has embarked on the construction of conducive lecture theatres, Senate and administrative building, Staff and student Quartres
He charged the freshmen “to be good ambassadors of the University, Oferekpe Agbaja community, their respective families and the state in general”.
The Governor while calling on the University’s leadership, insisted that “academic quality should not be compromised”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Engr Professor Ernest Egba announced that since the commencement of academic activities mid 2025, the University has within the short period, covered many research mileages ranging from creative sketching, production of medical consumables and other products that support female hygienes.
The Vice Chancellor asserted, “that the University is not accidental but intentional.
“The investment in the university is an investment in the technological sovereignty of our dear state and nation Nigeria”.
The Faculties, Faculty of Engineering and Technology; Faculty of Computing; Faculty of Communication, Management and Social Science; Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and Faculty Architecture and Environmental Sciences are housing 20 academic programmes.
