A member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mercy Apama, has decried the absence of a scholarship programme in the state for eight years running.

Ms Apama, representing Yakurr II constituency, stated this on Thursday while presenting a motion for the state to reintroduce scholarship and bursary awards to Cross River State students through its scholarship board.

Leading the debate on her motion during the plenary, she stated that scholarship awards were for deserving students, based on merit, and for those without financial resources to pursue their academic endeavours.

She further urged the scholarship board to source scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

“The board, as part of its mandate, also sources funds from public-spirited individuals, private companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others, to enable it to sponsor scholarship programmes. If the board does not urgently reintroduce scholarship/bursary programmes, I am afraid the efforts towards developing manpower in the state through the educational system may be defeated,” she added.

Supporting the motion, co-sponsors including the Deputy Leader of the 10th Assembly, Davis Etta, and other lawmakers maintained that reintroducing scholarship and bursary programmes would greatly enhance education in the state.

The lawmakers emphasised Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to improving education, as evident in the renovation of the state library complex and payment of Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees, amongst other interventions.

They, however, urged the government to implement a special fund targeted at students’ scholarships to enhance the sustainability of the programme.

Reacting to the matter, the Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, commended the sponsor of the motion and members for supporting it.

He described it as timely, assuring that the governor, who was responsive to the wellbeing of the people of the state, would respond favourably to the resolution.

 (NAN)