The Ebonyi government has approved the release of N2 billion for the payment of scholarship grants to successful candidates chosen for government-sponsored university scholarships.
On Tuesday, Mr Jude Okpor, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, issued a statement to journalists in Abakaliki.
He stated that the decision was part of the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting on Monday, presided over by Governor Francis Nwifuru.
He said: “Following the State Executive Council’s approval of the list of 597 successful candidates to study in Nigerian universities as submitted by the State Scholarship Board, over N2 billion has been approved by EXCO.
“This amount covers school fees, research funding and living expenses of the scholarship beneficiaries.”
According to the statement, the Council also determined that research funding be distributed to universities alongside school fees to prevent recipients from mismanaging them.
“That civil servants who sail through the eligibility processes of the scholarship programme are to be granted study leave with pay in addition to other privileges.”
The commissioner stated that the council also decided that providing proper exposure on the government’s successes and operations should be the sole responsibility of the state information/public relations officials.
“Council resolved that all Information Officers and Public Relation Officers should henceforth take full charge of their responsibilities as the mouthpiece and image-makers of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“They are to ensure that government achievements receive the widest publicity as and when due,” Okpor stated.
He stated that the government was keen to improve the Ebonyi Fire Service’s firefighting capabilities and has approved the procurement of two additional firefighting trucks to supplement the existing fleet.
“Following recent fire outbreaks in the state and in line with the government’s determination to combat future occurrences, EXCO approved the purchase of two nos fire trucks.
“Also, Council approved the release of funds for the construction of about one-kilometre road leading to Ebonyi Waste Pulverisation Plant, Enyim, Unwuoghara, and directed Commissioner for Transport and Special Projects to ensure speedy completion,” he added.
Okpor said that the council expressed commitment to the state government in upgrading and reviving the state healthcare facilities in the general hospitals across the state and hence, approved the renovation of doctors’ quarters in some general hospitals.