Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state has warned students sponsored on scholarship abroad by the state not to become like Simon Ekpa. The governor said the state has spent over N15 billion on their scholarship that should not be allowed to be wasted.
Ekpa, the magazine reports is an Indigenous Peoples of Biafar, IPOB, secessionist leader who was recently arrested in Finland on terrorism related charges, and is awaiting trial by the Finnish government. The IPOB strongman is from Ebonyi state.
Governor Nwifuru while flagging off the state scholarship scheme at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, Ezza South local government area of the State, said the state regretted sending Ekpa on scholarship abroad.
He urged students enjoying state scholarship not to follow the footstep of Ekpa, who he said has brought disgrace to his families and the state through his action.
They must be good ambassadors of the state, he urged them, not forgetting where they came from and the sons of daughters of whom they are.
He said the state and their families are expecting a lot from the students, appealing to them not to disappoint as they are expected to to “return to our State as our great leaders.”
The governor said, “The achievements we expect from you are very heavy. The new innovations we are expecting is also very heavy. Don’t care to think of disappointing us. We will never take it and we must compel you to deliver. We are not also going to leave you like others.
“Remember our brother that is causing crisis, that is asking people to kill people in this state, Simon Ekpa, remember he was sent to Finland to study on scholarship, don’t toe his path. If you do that, we will regret sending you.
“Your returning home will justify the huge amount our state is committing to ensure that you attain this height. For the overall benefit of our people, do not be swayed by the euphoria of luxury in overseas.”
“This is a project that many people believe was practically impossible but for me, I believe that empowering human beings is more expensive than building infrastructure but it is also more productive than infrastructures put in place.
He said the state governor has spent more than N15 billion to ensure that the scholarship project became a reality, despite naysayers doubt that the project will succeed.
Nwifuru added, “So spending huge amount of money totalling about N15 billion is worth spending to empower our people. We paid you living allowance amounting to almost N1million per month. So face your studies, remain focused and become great ambassadors of the State.
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