By Friday Idachaba
Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission HYPPADEC has concluded plans to assist brilliant but indigent students of Kogi State origin in various high institutions of higher learning across the country.
Member, HYPPADEC Governing Council representing Kogi,
Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, who disclosed this said the assistance would come as scholarships in support of their educational pursuits.
The elder Statesman gave the assurance at Adogo Cottage Hospital in Ajaokuta Local Government Area as part of the four-day Free Medical and Surgical Outreach organised by the Commission for members of riverine communuties in the state.
Ozi-Salami said that the Commission was out to ensure that no student is denied access to quality education as a result of physical disability or financial incapability of parents to finance the education of their children.
“We are in touch with tertiary institutions where Kogi indigens are to give us recommendations about ‘indigent but brilliant students’ who are finding it difficult to make their way.
“These, we intend to assist financially so that nobody will be deprived of education either because of physical disability or because his parents are incapable of financing it.
“So, very very soon you will hear from us. We have contacted Kogi students associations in various higher institutions. We have contacted even the authorities of the institutions.”
He noted that the Commission was already in touch with the management and boards of some institutions within and outside the state seeking their collaboration in this regard.
The HYPPADEC Governing Council member said his visit to some institutions during their convocation ceremonies had revealed that a lot of Kogi students were doing very well with many, coming out as Best Graduating Students.
“Our students are really determined and it is up to all of us to support them with the best of our ability and this is why HYPPADEC is very very interested in ensuring that we don’t compromise as far as educational pursuits of our children is concerned.
“So, I want to call on all of you here as parents to please give maximum support to our children in their educational pursuits and as for you, students, whatever you are doing, your academic pursuits should be number one.
“All other things should only come as supplements and not as substitute to your academic pursuit”, he said.
The medical outreach was organised by the Commission in collaboration with Oxee Healthcare Limited and Cardio Rural Outreach Ministry to provide free medical and surgical services to the riverine communities.
The intervention, which is the first phase of the Commission’s medical outreach benefitted communities in Ajaokuta, Kogi, Bassa and Ibaji Local Government Areas affected by activities of hydroelectric power generating dams.