Weighing on Senator Albert’s N15m Per Annum University Scholarship

By Anny Michaels

It is not news that the Distinguished Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District, Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) is a large hearted politician.

Obviously, they are testimonies of his expression of love to different people across the State and beyond before now but when he declared on assumption of office as the people's Senator that N15m will be spent yearly on 130 beneficiaries for his all school expense scholarship scheme to undergraduates studying in various universities across Nigeria from the Senatorial District it added more flesh to his goodhearted gestures that has become his signature and has defined him as a selfless leader and man of enormous goodwill.

The Senator said at the time '‘We are going to spend a minimum of fifteen million naira yearly on the scholarship scheme. We will pay their school fees in whatever institution of learning around the country, then every semester each beneficiary will take home N20,000 as pocket money”. He stressed further “This scholarship scheme is about Uyo Senatorial District of which I represent in the senate, the examination that brought about the beneficiaries was transparent, it was open to all, they applied online without the knowledge of committee members and after their examination their scripts were swapped and marked by seasoned Lecturers from universities at conference accordingly.

I have a foundation that is managing their academic progress, they must maintain their CGPA which must not be less than 3.5, so with that mindset they will continue to work hard at school”.

This initiative by the Distinguished Senator is quite laudable at this period of recession where political office holders are looking for every excuse possible to neglect their impact on the people. As a strong believer in education, transforming and empowering lives, this gesture by the Senator has assisted many of his constituents to assess university education to guarantee a greater and brighter future.

This gesture by the Senator has endeared him more to the youths in particular and elders from the Senatorial District who see him as a beacon of hope.

Several constituents have reacted to the Senator’s gesture, one of them is Chief Marcus Okuku , a community leader and grassroots politician from Ibiono Ibom local government area “It is a good omen because he is encouraging our young people to go to school without stress, based on the current economic recession they are a lot of elected public office holders who are unable to do what he is doing even in small measure but I pray God to reward the Senator. Let me use this opportunity to thank the Distinguished Senator for adding value to the lives of young people through the scholarship programme, we can only ask for more of God’s favours upon his life and family’’.

The Senator undoubtedly is building a solid future for his people in the Senatorial District with a strong educational background.

He stands out as a leader who is passionate about the future of his constituents. For those who are not fortunate to benefit from the scholarship, the Senator's football tourney opened yet another window for more youths to earn good money as they discover themselves. In December 2015 more than N20m was spent by the Distinguished Senator for the event which has boosted football in this axis.

To buttress the Senator’s passion for the youths, he has sponsored two bills geared towards job creation and reducing the level of unemployment in the country of which the youths are the most affected.

This is again greatly appreciated by Nigerian youths from a leader who thinks of them. It is left for the beneficiaries of this scholarship scheme to put in their best to study to give their future a brighter meaning. This is a proof of leadership which the Distinguished Senator has provided in Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District of which many socio political groups have already shown via the media. One of them is Iwaad Ata Uyo who recently honoured and officially inducted the Senator into the group. According to the International President, Prince Edem Simon Akpan they particularly appreciate the Senator for his hardwork, sincerity, determination and commitment in the course of his representation.

He called on the Senator to please continue in the good work and not be distracted. They particularly thanked the Senator for his scholarship scheme which has helped a lot of youths to realize their dreams through the scheme.
One of the significance of Senator Albert’s scholarship is that the beneficiaries are sure to have their education completely paid for throughout their stay in the university no matter the years or course of study as there are those studying medicine, Engineering, pharmacy etc unlike other scholarships you hear about were beneficiaries get quarter or half of the fees and have to source for the balance sometimes unable to and will have to forgo their educational pursuit. Beyond paying completely the fees directly to the university’s account, the Senator providing every semester school upkeep money to boost their welfare is a big plus.

This is unprecedented in scholarship arrangements by politicians from this clime.

To their worthy benefactor, one of the beneficiaries- Henry Okon of the Department of Pharmacy, University of Uyo (UNIUYO) said ''Senator Albert is a rare leader for having such a large heart to think of the youths particularly with regard to their education, it speaks volumes of his person and love for the people and we can only ask for God’s grace upon his life and family”. Okon noted that but for Senator Albert’s intervention he is not sure if he would have had the opportunity of acquiring university education.

This may just be a clarion call for other political office holders to look inwards no matter how small and see ways to affect the lives of people around them, this way the people will feel more of the dividends of democracy.

For Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) his being at the senate is about the people of Uyo Senatorial District, he naturally has this knack for humanitarian services and whatever is possible to add value to lives he will not hesitate to as he is more in politics for service. If in just two years plus in office he has done this much then the people of Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District are in for a better deal with quality, pragmatic, brilliant, humane, articulate, selfless and cerebral representative.

Let me also add, that God should bless our Loving and performing Senator, Amen.