Flags Off ₦20 Million Yakurr Students Education Scheme
By Sylvia Okoi
The Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi, has disbursed the sum of ₦10 million to over 60 successful candidates under his 2025 Abi Students Scholarship Programme.
Presenting the scholarship funds of ₦150,000 each to the beneficiaries on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Sir Thompson Egbe Educational Foundation, Anong, Abi Local Government Area, Hon. Osogi explained that the initiative was designed to assist in the payment of tuition fees and to encourage indigent students of Abi to remain focused on their studies.
Reflecting on his university days as a student unionist at the University of Calabar, the Commissioner said. “I passed through the rigorous process of being a student in pursuit of education, and I understand the difficulties students face while navigating through school. The financial support you are receiving today will go a long way to assist you.”
Hon. Osogi urged the beneficiaries to excel academically and strive to graduate with good grades. He further revealed that the programme would be sustained as a legacy project, adding that subsequent beneficiaries must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5.
Expressing appreciation to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, for his exemplary leadership and opportunity to serve, Osogi noted. “This empowerment initiative is part of the Governor’s vision. We are trickling down the Season of Sweetness to our people.”
He advised the students to prepare for the future by avoiding social vices such as cultism, examination malpractice, and impersonation, stressing that such behaviors are detrimental to their personal growth and academic progress.
In his remarks, Engr. Dr. Pringle Egbe, Founding Coordinator of the Sir Thompson Egbe Educational Foundation and Sector Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Port Harcourt, stated that the selection process was transparent and merit-based, ensuring that only qualified students with a CGPA of 3.5 and above benefited from the programme.
Some of the beneficiaries, Ntarezep Elijah and Inyang Emmanuel, both students of the University of Calabar, expressed profound gratitude to Hon. Osogi for his benevolence. They described the support as timely and pledged to utilize the funds judiciously for their academic needs.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Vice Chairman of Abi Local Government Area, Hon. Joseph Ukata, Barr. (Mrs.) Rosemary Onah, Hon. Chief Iwara, Pastor Emmanuel Collins, Hon. Francis Ettah, and Pastor Joshua Igboke, who all commended Hon. Osogi for his philanthropic spirit and unwavering commitment to promoting education in the Abi/Yakurr communities.
Similarly, the 2025/2026 Yakurr Students Scholarship Programme was officially flagged off, marking another phase of the educational initiative and reaffirming Hon. Osogi’s enduring dedication to human capital development.
According to the Commissioner, a total of ₦20 million will be disbursed to beneficiaries from Yakurr Local Government Area due to the population size and educational demography of the area.
The event marked a significant milestone, re-echoing the Commissioner’s strong belief in education as a key driver of youth empowerment and community development.
