Very well spoken. In as much as I do not support the reckless and unprofessional act by the purported police officer and his likes, most ladies are in this habit of going to night clubs and parties all in the name of catching fun and hooking up with the BIG BOYS as "runs girls". Often times, they get harassed, exploited in all manners and even killed as a pay back, especially, when they fail to succumb to the demands of these men. Little did some of them know that what was presumed in the first instance to be fun can easily destroy their bright future and even cause their deaths both directly and indirectly. I might not necessary fathom the exact circumstance that led to the lady being kidnapped as alleged as well as the scenario that prompted the police officer to trigger which led to her untimely demise, the incident should service as a warning to those living reckless night life (both ladies and men) and a serious caution to the unprofessional habits of our men in uniform. To the deceased, may her soul rest in peace and to her family, may them be consoled.

Mike008:
This is a very sad and unfortunate situation, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel yet never getting there.

while we condemn the act of the police officer in its entirety, we should equally condemn certain reckless and frivolous behaviors by our youths, especially those in the limelight from whom a certain manner reason and decorum is expected.

The activities which preceded the demise of the deceased if reports are to be believed are frivolous and highly unreasonable for any right thinking adult.
Not that I do not condemn the recklessness of the police officer but am speaking from the perspective of personal safety.

This story could have been different, not just for the victim, but for her friends as well, especially with the spate of insecurity in the country.

The loss is irreparable and tragic but one thing am certain of is if the deceased was given a second chance, she would consider more from refraining from the nights activity, a journey that would later become her last.

No matter how much we condemn and convict with our words, they will do little to bring back what is already lost.
And in the end when we all realize that what is lost is really lost we begin to pay also a little attention, no matter how little to the remote cause which if carefully considered, the big tragedy would have in fact been averted on a personal level.

Big consequences could result from simple decisions we make.
In the end it was Linda's decision to stay out late at night that resulted to her death.

May she rest in peace.

We must learn to be careful at all times.

If the facts contained in this story is true, definitely, the medical doctor so to say must pay dearly for his actions. This is total abuse of human right and negligence of duty. It is completely against the ethics of the medical profession. I wonder if truly he passed through a medical school. Nigeria Medical and Dental Association should quickly withdraw the practicing licence of this so called doctor to forestall future occurrence and serve as deterrent to others in his like.

weyreypey:


http://punchng.com/lekki-doctor-flogs-orders-nurse-to-kneel-down/

Nairaland will not thread important issues that will encourage economic empowerment of Nigerians like this. I have contacted them severally by mail to expose the bad governance associated with the present board of NDDC under the chairmanship of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO on the way they have been handling issues relating to the inconclusive 2017 NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship; they kept mum. However, they focus on issues relating to people's personal life. Well meaning citizens of Nigeria, lovers of education and the world at large should rise and speak up against the negligence by NDDC management on this issue before it gets out of hand. By the time militants of Niger Delta recruit to fight for their rights, Nigeria government will start looking for palliative measures to curb their menace over the oil rich Niger Delta region. A stitch in time saves nine.

Luck2016:
THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

Please as you are protesting over the indictment of Alhaji Bukola Saraki in Offa rubbery incident, also protest over the negligence by NDDC to release the list of 2017 NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship for over 12 months now and to follow due process in awarding the scholarship to qualified candidates. Biko nu, our knees are on the ground. Mbok!

Luck2016:
THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

Lovers of education and industrial revolution of Nigeria should please rise and condemn this barbaric act by the present NDDC management. The common man in Nigeria with the requisite qualifications can longer share in the common wealth of this great nation in order to contribute in the economic development of our dear country.

Luck2016:
THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

Guys! The final modification of the script has been made. Any medium/media you think that the facts contained in the write-up could be published as quickly as possible, do kindly assist in doing same. I have started already.


THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
It is of note that these anomalies orchestrated in the conduct of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Mr Nsima U. Ekere led NDDC of today has never happened before since the inception of the scholarship scheme from 2010 to 2016. The Commission in the past had always published the list of successful candidates in the NDDC scholarship programme on their website (the list of successful candidates in the 2016 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is still on the NDDC website till date for verification) and the affected candidates were always invited to an inaugural programme for briefing ahead of their departures to various institutions across the globe.
The 2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship and invite them formally to an inaugural programme as it used to be in the past.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list are studying as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.

SIGNED
THE 2017 CANDIDATES OF NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

I have this mind but it has to be by the beginning of next month

nextdoor84:


I will suggest you push it to the front page on Nairaland..important people also visit Nairaland.

Thanks so much for the applaud. We will definitely get this universally circulated. Even if we don't succeed in publishing it in a national newspaper. We could upload the contents through the mobile applications of some local and international media organisations. Am sure the general public will definitely access it. A petition can as well be extracted from this write-up and forward to our various representatives in the upper chambers. I will definitely try to get the attention of Adeola Fayehun to investigate these allegations and integrate it into her programme; KEEPING IT REAL.

amhot:
@ Luck2016 your writeup is comprehensive and all encompassing. If we can get even one national newspaper to publish this writeup,you will all be amazed at the rapid and positive attention it will generate. Thumbs up bro.

Your contribution is most welcomed. Still waiting for other contributions, constructive criticisms and the likes before it is finally disseminated.

choicecad:


Lets try to get Government attention by also letting them know that this has never happened before since the inception of NDDC Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship, thus discrediting this present Government. they would try to find out y..that's my take

THE CRIES OF THE MARGINALISED: A CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE 2017 NDDC FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May, 2017 advertised on its website the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and called for application from suitably qualified candidates in the 9 (nine) NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, who gained admissions to pursue MSc. and PhD degrees overseas in diverse professional fields that could contribute to rapid development of the oil producing region and curb youth restiveness. The commission invited shortlisted candidates for the Computer Based Test (CBT) in July, 2017 at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Barely a week after the conclusion of the CBT, candidates who met the commission’s prescribed cut-off mark were invited for an oral interview at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA, Portharcout, Nigeria. The candidates were requested to bring along both originals and photocopies of credentials and other specified documents. Successful candidates in the exercise were expected to resume full academic work by September, 2017 in different institutions across the globe. While prospective scholars were waiting for the release of the list of successful awardees, to their utmost surprise, the management of the Commission announced the suspension of the exercise citing non-payment of previous scholars as the reason behind their action. Prospective scholars in the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship accepted the development until January, 2018 when it was gathered that the payments have been made to the scholars.
Candidates who participated in the oral interview were supposed to be paid transport stipend of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only (about USD 27.80) on the day of the interview. However, they were asked to provide their account details for the payments to be made after the approval of the NDDC budget of 2017 as alleged by the Commission. Several months elapsed; nothing was heard from the Commission, until on March 19, 2018, messages were sent out through emails with a link requesting for bank information for payment of the transport stipend. The details were supplied by the affected candidates. It was on May 4, 2018 that candidates received the sum of N 8, 450.00 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only (about USD 23.49) from Marg Education International Limited, Portharcout, Nigeria as against the earlier N10, 000.00 agreed by NDDC. Many were confused and had even wanted to formally report to their various banks that the transactions were made in error until it was confirmed that the deposits were made by Marg Education International Limited on behalf of NDDC after tax deductions as alleged.
The MD/CEO of NDDC in the person of Mr. Nsima U. Ekere had earlier promised as published in the NDDC website that every issues relating to the NDDC scholarship scheme will be concluded by May, 2018 in order to enable scholars resume studies fully by September, 2018. May has come and gone, the story remained unchanged. This has amounted to about 12 (twelve) months the Commission started the process of 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship. There are so many speculations and rumours surrounding the credibility of the purported exercise, considering the fact that other Federal Government of Nigeria agencies and commissions that organise similar scholarship programme concluded their 2017 scholarship programmes and successful candidates left the shores of Nigeria to study in various institutions abroad. Some of the scholarship awarding agencies are almost concluding their 2018 scholarship scheme; yet, NDDC has not released the list of successful candidates in their 2017 scholarship scheme let alone mobilising them for onward movement overseas even though the 2017 budget was approved long ago and the 2018 budget passed by the legislative chambers waiting for the presidential assent. Previous scholars have been complaining of gross negligence by the commission and some are almost at the verge of being sent back due to irregular payment of tuition fees and living expenses by the Commission.
2017 candidates of NDDC foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are requesting that;
1) The commission under the control of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba as chairman and Mr Nsima U. Ekere as MD/CEO should release the long awaited 2017 list of successful candidates for the award of the foreign postgraduate scholarship.
2) Investigation be carried out on the credibility or otherwise of the list of candidates captured in the 2017 scholarship scheme. This has become necessary due to the very long delay in the conclusion of an exercise that was started 12 (twelve) months ago. It is alleged that the Commission has sent some “scholars” abroad through the “back door”. This should be verified once the list is released. This could be done by confirming from the institutions where all the scholars whose names appeared on the list as to when he/she resumed studies, when was the tuition fees paid and who made the initial and subsequent payments of the fees.
3) The Commission should ensure that all the benefits due to the qualified beneficiaries of the 2017 NDDC Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship and those of previous scholars be paid and on time hence forth.



Guys! What are your views, comments, contributions and suggestions on the above query? I am considering we forward this and other submissions that might be made by us all to Transparency International and ICPC as a petition against NDDC on the long awaited list if Mr Nsima U. Ekere fails to keep to his words by the end of this month. Your responses are urgently needed. Thanks and remain resolute in the struggle. Victory is assured.

Please this question should not be directed at me. Am not the originator of the information. By my own understanding, it is most likely that the list of 2017 prospective awardees would be released by second week of June. That's my thought.

choicecad:


What do you mean by this application is for 2017 and 2018 prospective awardee? I

Twitter handles to tweet:
Transparency Int'l(@anticorruption)
Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters)
EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC)
ICPCNigeria (@ICPC_PE)
Adeola Fayehun (@AdeolaFayehun)

Lets start tweeting and retweeting.

That's a "good one." So the 2017/2018 list of awardees would be released second week of next month. Well, kudos to NDDC for their inconsistencies. Whatever being the case, we are waiting

sethmelia002:
BREAKING NEWS!!!!! NDDC FOREIGN SCHOLARSHIP FRESH APPLICATIONS WILL BE OUT 2ND WEEK OF NEXT MONTH......THIS APPLICATION IS FOR 2017 AND 2018 PROSPECTIVE AWARDEES.. BE PREPARED.....

The truth is bitter but it has to be told. I really appreciate sound minds like yours. There is no meaningful reasons the commission could give at this particular time to support any proposed cancellation of an exercise that was credibly conducted by them about 10 months ago. The whole world is watching them. We don't have any weapon to fight but our voices must speak out and it most be heard. Let us not relent in this crusade. As one of us suggested, we should start tweeting and retweeting @ different twitter handles of agencies and individuals both locally and internationally, especially those that are concerned about education development and human right issues.

Nuel1647:


I believe their decision would be communicated to us ”when they feel like”
We think it would be this month, that is this week or before the end of next week.

Anyone can believe whatever they want at their own expense.

There are 1000 reasons why the scholarship cannot be cancelled, one of which includes an upturn in oil prices. I don't want to join issues with anyone.

It would be easier to continue with the process, as you would have to provide good reasons for its cancellation, and at this point, we can rule out lack of funds. Cancellation would also lead to a backlash, irrespective of the reasons. Why wait this long if you are going to cancel it? Why continue with the scholarship scheme after this cancellation?

As I said before, we know the meeting held over the weekend with the president (represented by vice president Osibanjo) in attendance. We don't know the full details of what was discussed, we don't even know if a decision has been made. I guess we would know in time.

Well, regardless of the source of the information; whether reliable or unreliable, I think it is the responsibility of the management of NDDC to formally publicize the cancellation of the 2017/2018 scholarship scheme with REASONS the same way they publicize the temporary suspension of the exercise in order to clear the backlogs of debts owed earlier scholars (which they have not concluded), in the national dailies last year. Not until this is done, there is no amount of action staged by the participants in the last year's scholarship exercise that can be justifiable within the existing laws of the country. We all have are various constituency representatives in both the state and federal houses of representatives + the senate. Immediately the commission announces the cancellation of the 2017 scholarship programme without viable reasons, we should quickly send petitions to our various representatives and senators and see if they will just write-off the petitions without thorough debate on the contending issues. Thank God they recognised that the transport stipend is our right; they should also recognise that it is our right and their duty to inform us on the REASONS behind the "Cancellation". For now, lets just cross our legs and wait until the cat is formally let out of the bag.

softceleb13:
please this is funny and it seem to look like a very bitter pill too hard to swallow, but it remains the truth, unless if we can press on them through any means possible to reverse on it, better for us, from a very reliable source I was told that, they have cancelled the 2017/2018 NDDC Foreign Screening.

please nobody should mix up faith with this one, whether U believe it or leave it, I have been hopeful and prayerful waiting for the list to come out soon until I got this shocker yesterday. although I have been silent on this platform reading every comments that gives hope!, the arguments, criticisms, names calling etc....
I actually wish if I should have a news for this platform it should be a good one, but here is the irony.
funny enough the source also told me that in no distances time, they are planning to advertise for 2018/2019, which I told him rubbish.
in as much as i am concerned NDDC doesn't own 2018/19 prospective applicants anything or apologies , so why looking forward without addressing what's before them.
He also said the Transport allowance was our right that's why they couldn't denied us from it.
Shame to NDDC management's and the entire state's Reps, for you all are complete disgrace to all of your member state.

lastly I pray that, for this your decision and false hope you given to us for over a year plus, You too shall also not find peace.
Black man!, ijaw man!! Niger delta people!!! which way to go.....

For those who are still skeptical about the release of the 2017 list of NDDC scholarship awardees, I want to remind them based on the statement of the MD/CEO of NDDC, Mr. Ekere that by May this year every issue relating to the award of scholarship will be concluded in order for scholars to proceed for studies by September; even though he did not categorically stated whether it is 2017 or 2018 scholarship programme. However, going by the fact that the NDDC 2018 scholarship programme has not been advertised, it then implies that the 2017 programme must be concluded by May this year. Moreover, NDDC suspended the release of the 2017 list of awardees in order to complete the outstanding payments for previous awardees which I understood was done by January this year. So, I don't see any reason why they should cancel the 2017 programme to commence 2018 programme. It doesn't make any sense; unless they have concluded to totally abolish the scholarship scheme. The delay has always been the overall culture of the agency from time immemorial; but, delay is not denial.

Chief Consultant! I hereby consult you.

kilmix:


Carry out search on the company to know the directors and shareholders of the company.

This will go a long way to answer some of the above questions.

Consult me if you are ready to do the search.

Thanks for the clarification. It is my pleasure meeting and interacting with great minds on this forum. Hope we meet on the day of award of the scholarship

amhot:
Marg education what ever they call themselves, are education consultants.They were consulted by NDDC for "the purpose of transparency,"and to give credence to the selection process and nothing more. They also act as scouts for foreign universities, head hunting foreign students for these foreign universities. Perhaps that's how they contacted you.Marg's job with NDDC is done for now. Thus their just concluded fare is irrelevant to our cause. I have this feeling that we are gradually coming to the end of the road on this platform. This is because ,once the list is out some of us won't be coming here again. But whatever the case ,I want to say that I had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with great minds on this thread. You guys kept me going, even when the total silence and blackout by NDDC was driving me crazy, your contributions, insight and info helped to calm me down many times. I'm really grateful to you all. I really pray we ALL meet very soon in PH, so we can match our faces to our nairaland monikers (usernames). It will really be fun.God bless you all.

Okay. Just hope someone in the house that attended will come up and tell us what transpired at the Education Fair and how it probably relates to the scholarship scheme of NDDC

choicecad:


No I did not attend. Any one in the house that was invited?

Great! Did you attend and what was it all about?

choicecad:


I was also invited that same day for the fair

Please someone should clarify me. Has NDDC and Marg Education International Limited any contract as regards the 2017 NDDC Scholarship scheme? On the 2nd April this year, I received an email from the later inviting me for an Education fair in Uyo on the 3rd - 4th April and in PH on the 6th - 7th April with a promise of instant admission into institutions in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and USA. Due to the fact that my school was conducting semester examination that time and I was deeply committed in the examination, I could not attend the education fair. Now, the same Marg Education Intl Ltd posted the sum of #8450.00 into my Ecobank account yesterday. Initially, I was confused whether the transaction was made in error, until I came to this thread to confirm that other potential scholars who participated in the 2017 NDDC scholarship interview also received the same amount from the same agency irrespective of the fact that NDDC was the commission that asked us to forward our bank details on 19th March. I wouldn't know if there is any body in this thread who also received the email from Marg Education Intl for the Education fair stated earlier. Someone should confirm.

Amen oooooooooooooo

amhot:
Happy easter guys and babes. Welcome to a new month. I prophecy into your lives that before this week runs out,you will all be paid your transport stipends, and before the end of this month, the long expected list will be out, and you will be shuttling to an fro Port Harcourt for your award letter and briefing. Regardless of today's date, 01/4/18 if you believe so shall it be for you. Welcome to April, and congratulations in advance.

Any further development in respect to the payment of interview stipend and the release of 2017 list of awardees?