Ihietutu community in Ishiagu Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, on Monday disbursed N2 million bursary to students in various institutions of higher learning from the area.

The Chairman, Ihietutu Development Union, Mr Paulinus Okoro, who disbursed the money, said the gesture was to encourage students of the community to pursue their education with less stress.

According to him, no fewer than 70 undergraduates of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and related institutions received the bursary award.

The chairman explained that the N2 million released for the bursary was part of the development funds paid as royalties by companies operating in the community.

Okoro said that the payment covered the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 academic sessions and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the money.

“Education is key to the development of human capital and by extension the overall development of the human society.

“What we are doing today is to encourage our children who are studying in various institutions of higher learning and to cushion the effect of the economic meltdown through this financial assistance.

“Each of the beneficiaries is expected to receive N15,000 while those who gained admission in the 2014/2015 academic year will receive N30,000.

“We shared the bursary equally and hence there is no disparity between university students and those from the polytechnics and colleges of education and agriculture.

“Also we did not attach preference for one course over the other; each beneficiary received equal amount.

“In no distant time we will be inviting the students to come and receive the 2016 /2017 bursary, it is an ongoing exercise and we are committed to the payment,” Okoro said.

He advised the students to be good ambassadors of the community in their respective schools, assuring that the union would not relent in the payment of the annual bursary.

“I urge you to always show good examples in your different institutions and be worthy ambassadors of this great community.

“We assure you that we have great concern for your welfare and well being in the pursuit of your academic careers and will never relent in the payment of the annual bursary.

“I advise you to shun every act that will jeopardise your academic pursuit including cultism, examination malpractice, prostitution among others,” he said.

Leader of the students, Patrick Okoro, commended the union for the gesture, and promised that the students would not disappoint the community.

“I know that a lot is expected from us and I promise that we will not only be good ambassadors of this great community, but will also strive to be the best in our various departments and faculties,” he said. (NAN)

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