No fewer than 100 students from the Onne and Ogu communities benefited from over N60 million through the Annual Scholarship Scheme to undergraduate students selected from its host communities, according to the West Africa Container Terminal, Onne Port, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday.
The managing director of WACT, Jeethu Jose, recently spoke at the scholarship award and presentation ceremony at Onne Port, Rivers State. He explained that the Annual Scholarship Scheme, which grants undergraduate scholarships to students, serves as a means of identifying, developing, and luring talent from the host towns.
However, according to the managing director, the terminal has re-awarded scholarships under its annual scholarship scheme to a new group of fifty beneficiaries.
“Let me begin by extending my congratulations to the students present to accept the WACT scholarship.
I am aware of the demanding nature of the application procedure; your success in receiving the scholarship is evidence of your intelligence as well as your diligence and commitment to your studies,” he remarked.
According to Jose, the program shows how committed the business is to bolstering the nation’s educational system and helping students realize their full potential.
He noted that the firm reorganized its connection with the host communities on the three pillars of transparency, visibility, and inclusivity to ensure WACT leaves a lasting influence on the indigenous people of its host towns.
“Among the numerous beneficial effects of WACT’s updated community engagement framework is the scholarship program. It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the scheme continues after these payments. at order to help them understand our company’s culture and principles and to give them practical experience related to their subject of study, we have set up a platform where some of the students can be offered internship opportunities at the terminal,” the speaker stated.
The Managing Director of WACT expressed gratitude to the host communities for creating an environment that was conducive to the company’s operations and reiterated WACT’s commitment to the communities.
Chief Adokiye Ochemiebia Chuku, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, also spoke and thanked WACT for improving the lives of the local indigenous population.
“You have done this, and it is a great relief for us. Youth restlessness will come down to its minimum level. We are going through a tough time,” he remarked.
Sunday Dudu, the Chairman of the Ogu Community Development Committee, on behalf of King Sunday Njijor Jiala, the supreme king of Onne, praised WACT for bringing both physical and capacity development to the community. He also promised WACT the support and collaboration of the community.
“On behalf of myself and other candidates that participated in the West Africa Container Terminal award, I sincerely want to say thank you to WACT for giving us this opportunity, for your generosity and commitment to education,” Adolphus Salome Ibikinibari said in a statement on behalf of the beneficiaries. Consequently, observing the student body to determine how best you might influence and motivate us to attain our academic objectives.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Nigeria Customs Service, Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), leaders of the host communities, and youth leaders were among those present at the scholarship presentation ceremony.