NDDC assures fairness, transparency in foreign scholarship selection

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness in the selection of beneficiaries for its Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for Niger Delta indigenes.

Managing Director of the commission, Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during an assessment visit to the venue of the scholarship oral interview in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr Patience Ezugu, Ogbuku said the process was free from bias, prejudice and compromise.

He commended members of the interview panel for conducting a seamless exercise, noting that no complaints had been received from candidates participating in the selection process.

According to him, previous beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme distinguished themselves in their various fields of study, adding that there had been no negative reports concerning them.

“The students who benefited from the scholarship scheme in previous years had distinctions in their various fields of study, and we have not heard of criminal or any negative reports about them,” he said.

Also speaking, the NDDC Director of Education, Dr Awele Chukwudifu, said successful candidates would be encouraged to return home after their studies to contribute to the development of the Niger Delta region.

She praised the commission for prioritising capacity development among youths in the region and stressed that the selection process remained transparent.

“As soon as the computer-based examinations are concluded, the scores pop up immediately for candidates to see, which demonstrates transparency and integrity,” she stated.

Chairman of the interview panel and lecturer at Niger Delta University, Prof. Beleudanyo Fente, lauded the commission for sustaining an educational platform aimed at improving the lives of Niger Delta indigenes.

Fente said the panel ensured an efficient and fair process that would guarantee only the most qualified candidates emerged successful.

He urged the commission to continue investing in higher education across the region.

The consultant handling the scholarship programme, Chief Godson Ideozu, disclosed that 12,277 candidates applied for the scholarship, while 5,986 passed the computer-based test and 2,492 advanced to the oral interview stage.

According to him, candidates who succeed at the oral interview stage would later be invited for a departure briefing.

One of the applicants, Mrs Akindoyeni Oluwabukunmi, described the process as transparent and satisfactory, noting that the scholarship would help beneficiaries acquire knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta region.