…May soon be approved destination of NDDC local scholarship destination
Wigwe University, established by Herbert Wigwe who soon after died in the US with some key members of his family, may receive support from the Niger Delta development Commission (NDDC).
Already, the management of the university has paid a visit to the NDDC where hopes of support were raised.
According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama, director, corporate affairs unit of the NDDC, the management of the NDDC showed readiness to support the Wigwe University in line with the Commission’s policy of support for education.
She said in a statement that Samuel Ogbuku, the managing director of the Commission, has thus reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the advancement of education in the Niger Delta region.
He made this known while receiving Marwan Al-Akaidi the Vice Chancellor of Wigwe University, and his team during a courtesy visit to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Ogbuku emphasised that NDDC has a long-standing tradition of supporting educational institutions across the region through infrastructure development and scholarship programmes.
“It is not new for NDDC to support universities; it is something we have been doing consistently. We have built hostels, classrooms, provided furniture, computers, and more. We believe in supporting the best within the region,” he stated.
He acknowledged the establishment of Wigwe University as a significant addition to the region’s educational landscape, describing it as a top-tier institution with world-class facilities. According to him, this aligns with NDDC’s mission to uplift the Niger Delta through strategic educational investments.
Ogbuku stated: “For us in NDDC, partnering with Wigwe University is something we can do with joy because the people who will benefit from the university are largely from the region. We welcome you and thank you for trusting us.”
He further announced that NDDC was set to launch a local postgraduate scholarship scheme and assured that Wigwe University will be considered as one of the beneficiary institutions.
“We believe that if our students cannot go abroad, at the very least, they should receive the best education within Nigeria, and Wigwe University stands out in that regard,” he added.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Wigwe expressed appreciation to the Commission for its continuous support to education.
He stated that the visit was aimed at initiating a long-term partnership with the NDDC built on mutual growth and regional development.
He remarked: “Our vision is to build an institution that is not only the best in Nigeria but also competitive across Africa and globally. To do this, we are seeking support in key infrastructure areas such as solar street lighting and water supply, and we hope Wigwe University can also be a destination for students under your scholarship scheme.”
The professor underscored the importance of the University’s location in the Niger Delta, and how NDDC’s intervention would not only enhance learning but also improve the quality of life in the host community.
“We are confident that the NDDC, as a champion of educational advancement, will support us not only in manpower development but in infrastructure that enables world-class learning,” he said.
