Urhobo People In America Award Scholarships To Six DELSU Students

By Ben Nwanne and NAD Aboribo.

The Urhobo Progress Union of Northern California in the United States of America, (UPUNC) has awarded Scholarships to six students of Urhobo extraction from Delta State University, Abraka until the completion of their academic programmes at the University.

Beneficiaries of the Philanthropic gesture include Miss Emily Akpomedaye, a 200 level Student of the Department of Linguistics/Urhobo Language; Rebecca Adamugoro, a 200 level Student of the Department of Fishery and Animal Science; Joy Bilotu, a 200 level Medical Student; Halleluyah Usioroghene, a 400 level student of Agronomy; Charity Obebe, a 200 level Student of Agricultural Economics and Oghenenyerovwo Ubogu, a 200 level Medical Student.

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Announcing the Scholarship Awards in a colourful ceremony on behalf of the UPUNC on Monday, May 22nd, 2023, at the Conference Room of the Dean of Education, the UPUNC President represented by Olorogun Emuesiri Gboregen, who is also the Chairman of the Education Committee of UPUNC, urged the recipients to strive for excellence and never give up on their dreams.

“With hard work, determination and perseverance, there is nothing that you cannot achieve”, he told the lucky recipients.

“Use this scholarship not only as financial aid but also as a reminder that you have the ability to make a difference in this world”.

The UPUNC President stated that education was the key to success and a bright future, adding that it was essential for the growth of individuals and society as a whole.

“The recipients of these scholarships have demonstrated excellence not only academically, but also through their involvement in extra-curricular activities and community services” he said.

Olorogun Gboregen who has been in the United States for the past twenty five years said that through the Scholarship Awards to the deserving students “we hope to further our commitment to education and empower young minds who will drive progress and development in our community”.

It is noteworthy that philanthropy and social responsibility are not strange to the UPUNC as could be gleaned from its activities in the past.

According to its spokesman, the Union had given scholarship to several students of Delta State University, Abraka on several occasions since 2012.

It had also made tremendous contributions in the Health sector noting that the Union had spent over N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) at the Mariere Hospital in Ughelli as a proactive approach towards improving Health care services in Urhobo land; in addition to the donation in 2021 of multiple sets of equipment and hospital supplies totaling over N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) to the Sapele General Hospital and others.

The Union extended generous gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, Professor Mrs. Rose Aziza, Professor Sunny Awhefeada, Dr. Rowell Ubogu and Moses Darah for making it easy for them to conduct tests for the Awardees during the selection process.

Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Urhobo Students at DELSU, Adaboke Ogheneruonana Edmond thanked UPUNC for its generosity and like Oliver Twist, requested for more. Miss Akpomedaye Emily, who responded on behalf of the other Awardees was full of gratitude to the UPUNC, promising to take full advantage of their generosity and make them proud.

Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Mrs. Rosemary Okoh, appreciated the Union for its kind gesture in providing succour for the down-trodden.

He remarked that since Nigeria had been declared the poverty capital of the world, it behoved on all to assist the poor.

He commended the UPUNC for its Philanthropic gesture, describing it as “a great step in the right direction”.

He recalled that some students were unable to pay their school fees recently and believed that gestures like the one exhibited by UPUNC when extended to them, would be a great relief.

Consequently, he requested more persons and Associations in diaspora to follow the noble example of UPUNC.