Sixty students from Imo state are billed to travel to the United States on a six-month internship programme next February. The Special Assistant to Imo State Governor on Youths’ Affairs, Nwabueze Henry, stated this in Abuja weekend while addressing newsmen.

He said the 60 successful candidates would be selected after the ongoing screening of the over 1000 applicants. It is part of Governor Okorocha’s Overseas’ Student Exchange Programme Initiative in the state. It is being done in conjunction with an international organisation, Centre for Energy Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, USA.

“These youths were selected from Imo state higher institutions. While in the US, each will receive $7,000 as pocket expenses through their training. It will expose them to students from other countries. It is hoped that it will create employment opportunities for them after the duration of the internship as the state hopes to attract some foreign investors through the scheme. The next batch will be Imo state higher institution lecturers,” he said.

According to him, the beneficiaries were selected through the recommendation of their respective institutions based on their academic records. The chief consultant of Kwakaf International, an agency that partners the state in the scheme, Raphael Ugbo, said his agency accepted to render its services to the state because of the educational vision of the state governor.

He said, “It is to ensure that youths are developed in all spheres of human endevour so that at the end, they will be good ambassadors of not only the state but Nigeria.” He said Ghana is among West African countries where his agency’s services are being rendered, adding that over 200 youths from three states in Nigeria have benefited from the programme.

http://www.sundaytrust.com.ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8292:gov-okorocha-sponsors-60-imo-students-to-us-&catid=41:latest-news&Itemid=26

OchukoII:

@Poster:
Usually, I enjoy reading posts and all without commenting. In this case, I felt your biased post needed a response.

Why is it that when people are trying to make things better the only thing you see is an ill motive? I think the fact that he is spending state resources on students from the state to grant them an opportunity to see things is a wise thing.

Okorocha may not be a saint, I know next to nothing about him, but please, if you have nothing constructive to say, then just keep your opinions to yourself.

Fhemmmy:

Anything good in him sending people to USA and on 7000$$ allowance, [b]while our schools and training centres in Nigeria are left in ruins?[/b]

Fhemmmy:

Anything good in him sending people to USA and on 7000$$ allowance, while our schools and training centres in Nigeria are left in ruins?

in conjunction with an international organisation, Centre for Energy Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, USA.

chima ike:

Poster please don't critisize Okorocha for no just reason, u can never deny it that the training these guys will acquire in US can be the same with Nigeria. He is empowering them with knowledge, u dont force people to sponsor the program, the government can start and other Imolites can start. Abeg stop critisizing the man unjustly.

OchukoII:

I Doubt if it is Okorocha's duty to help the Federal government restructure the educational sector. He is doing what he can (within the limits of his Jurisdiction). As for the $7000, it sure seems like a lot when you consider the total sum, however, if the state would send them abroad for 6 months, the state should also cater for them. I am not sure $7000 is not too much, however I still think it is a good plan.

PointB:

There is nothing wrong either in sending a few hand-picked people to enjoy the benefit of better education in advanced clime. Would you rather he sponsor politicians on Hajj/Pilgrimage? Beside, why do you lose sight of the fact that Rochas Foundation had done similar thing ere he became Governor, or the fact that this move is

Big Meat:

a better option would have a partnership with a foreign educational institution that will help to develop education in the state.

boneruns:

Sincerely, it is a welcome development. No doubt, human development is the best a state/country can give its' citizen. So long the beneficiary can give back to the state what they learnt in the internship program.

But, I doubt if this opportunity was given to those who can't afford it themselves. I can bet with anything that this opportunity was given to rapacious government officials whose kids are studying in different institution of the state.

Once again I say, Okorocha, more power to your elbow. I must let him know, 10,000 genuine jobs given to Imolites during the previous administration is marred by avaricious officials since he assumed office.

ziccoit:

Good if a million student at home would not be neglected. 60 bright minds lifting the state up on progress while a million draging it down would definitely be counterproductive.

mens dept:

Our main problem is that the people are too childish, cowardish, and worse- COMPLACENT, even the latest generation. So if cant stand up against huge allocations for Senators that havent been in their state in 6 months, or to pay the numerous states that we shouldnt even have, then dont complain about Youths going abroad for further studies.

texazzpete:

Please Provide proof that the large allowances the Senators collect comes from the Imo State account.

The poster is unhappy that Imo State funds are being used to fuel this scheme that he feels is wasteful. What does that have to do with Senators collecting furniture, housing and hooker allowance in Abuja?

Eko Ile:

Yet, the man is yet to build one single classroom, not even one hen cage. Talk about absurdities.

Eko Ile:

Yet, the man is yet to build one single classroom, not even one hen cage. Talk about absurdities.

mens dept:

What type of silly question is this. So they should continue to chop se?

Well the poster(and yourself) need not to be just unhappy, but mad as HELL that Nigeria stinks in almost everything, from Soccer to the Senate. The 3 Senators representing the state called Imo take home a yearly salary of about U.S. $ 1.40M, yes MILLION each, as do Senators from Ogun state (did you see that thread about the worst primary schools?) Zamfara, Delta, and Kaduna. Thats how much we spend on furnishing thieves and sending the bedsheet wearing ninjas to Arabia. So dont be silly about the idea of sending some college kids to Yankee next year when right now, you are being robbed by the current setup of the country