Beneficiaries of overseas post-graduate scholarship scheme bankrolled by the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, narrate how the scheme many of them doubted has changed their lives, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU
Almost all of them doubted it. In the last few months, however, their lives and world views have been shaped by it. Victor Pepple. Tana Ofik. Barthemeaus Utong. Opuada Oko-jaja. Raymond Awortu. Prince Ogbilikana. Hope Ngerebara. Hanson Pepple. And Zipporah Harry. They were the doubting Thomases, whose homes in the last few months have been London and Scotland, United Kingdom, where they are undergoing post-graduate degree programmes at no cost to them. Their bills are settled by a member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside. He represents the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency where these young men hail from.
Pepple said he was “badly ridiculed into this glorious opportunity today by my elder cousin, Theophilus Pepple”. It all started during the Christmas season of 2012 when posters for the Peterside overseas post-graduate scholarship scheme were pasted everywhere in Opobo Town and designated collection centres in Port Harcourt. When he saw it, he had cold feet about it. Reason: his previous experiences with sourcing for a scholarship to study abroad had always been a last minute disappointment even in situations where he met the criteria.
He felt this was just going to be another bad case.
So, he did not pick up the form until January 2013 when he saw that a cousin whom he hinted about the scheme had collected the form. He became an object of ridicule at home and hence got the form.
Though he had the dream of studying abroad someday, but how that would happen was largely a dream since he could not afford it. Raised from a humble background, he had faith that one day, his breakthrough would come.
Like Pepple, Oko-jaja did not attach much importance to information about the scholarship. In his words: “I got to hear about the scholarship from a friend, Mr. Tammy Aloma Cookey who travelled to Opobo Town for Christmas break in 2012. However, I received the information softly as I believed its outcome was going to be business as usual because of my previous experience in scouting for scholarships and jobs.
“Reluctantly, I got the form because of the pressure from my parents. Shortly after the submission, I was called by a friend from the university (FUTO) where I was undergoing a post graduate diploma in Geo-Physics that my name was announced over the radio, inviting me for a test at the ICT centre at Aba Road,Port Harcourt. I never prepared for the exam because I was frustrated with the business-as-usual and man-know-man virus that had eaten deep into the country and I had no one that could assist me.”
Utong did not have much doubt having benefitted from a scholarship scheme in the past. Utong, who is studying for an MSc in Mechanical Engineering in Kingston University, London, earlier studied at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia campus through the Rivers State government scholarship and was hoping to further his studies but could not due to lack of funds.
In the end, it turned out the fears of Pepple and others were unfounded.
Pepple said: “After the submission of completed form, I was told about the selection test by a friend of mine who heard my name announced over the radio, inviting shortlisted candidates for the test which held at the Rivers State ICT Centre along Aba Road Port Harcourt. I came into the hall barely having had about three days to prepare for the test; not knowing what to expect, I literally came in for the exam fasting. It was the first and most transparent public exam I have ever taken in my life. Not only did we see our scores on display at the expiration of allotted time for the exam, the decision on who has been awarded the scholarship was made right on the spot based on the result of the test. I emerged the first candidate for Engineering from Opobo Town. Even at that, I was still apprehensive as to whether there would still be last minute substitution of candidates. To God be the glory, nothing of such was done.”
Oko-jaja said: “Surprisingly, I met the shocker of my life. After the exam, the result was printed out in hard copy and given to us. I thought that was all. As I was about to leave the venue, we were called back and the decision was made publicly and successful candidates were picked, which I was also part of. At that instance, I began to have hope in the system that shortly the change we are clamouring for will come, when positions will be awarded on merit. This has been the first, unprecedented and transparent public exam I have ever taken in my life at that moment.”
Good enough to emulate
Pepple, who is studying for a Master of Science degree in Engineering Business Management at the University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, said Peterside has kept his part of the bargain. He said full tuition and upkeep allowance as promised by the scholarship board have been paid.
“We were credited with over six months’ maintenance allowance for living expenses before arriving the UK. Beyond that, the Honourable has come to visit us in person to see how we are faring. This I find very rare of any public office holder in his capacity. For this, I remain eternally grateful.”
In their e-interviews, they urged other leaders to emulate Peterside.
Utong said to the best of his knowledge, the process of selection was transparent, adding: “If there is interference, may be I would not have been selected.”
The son of His Royal Highness, Chief and Mrs. Abraham Utong of Ilotombi Community in Andoni Local Government, said: “Dakuku Peterside is one of the rare leaders we have. He is an achiever and a true believer of transparent, generous and selfless leadership. I strongly encourage all politicians to emulate the sincerity and kind heart of Hon. Peterside to his people. Hon. Dakuku Peterside is a man of his words, God-fearing, sincere to his people, down-to-earth, selfless, generous and principled. And I want to congratulate him for all his achievements.”
Oko-jaja, who bagged his Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and studying Msc in Environmental Management in the University of Bedfordshire, said Peterside has written his name with an indelible ink.
“He is a man with the heart of gold and empathy for the all. A man of the people. Most times I get amazed at his humility. He is a selling brand all over the nation. I implore our leaders to emulate this icon.”
Ofik, a native of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, currently studying for an M.Sc. in Subsea Engineering, said: “I got selected as a beneficiary of the Hon. Peterside’s overseas post-graduate scholarship in June of 2013 after a very transparent selection process in which I emerged the best candidate for the engineering disciplines. The scholarship covers my tuition and living costs at the University of Aberdeen. Till date, the Hon. Dakuku Peterside has followed through with all the promises made to the scholarship beneficiaries. I am thus confident that I will not have any financial worries all through my degree programme. Academically, the experience so far has been quite tasking, as I have been enrolled in a world renowned university with an excellent reputation in engineering studies related to oil and gas development. I have had the opportunity to meet key industry players and develop both personally and professionally. This had only existed as a dream for me before the scholarship but today it’s become a reality. Many thanks to Hon. Dakuku Peterside. He is truly a leader who has the concern of the people at heart.”
Pepple added: “The name Dakuku Peterside will forever remain engrained in the hearts of many, for being a man who helped in writing the history of many generations even yet unborn. Beyond being a fast selling brand in Rivers State, the man has modestly proved that his words are honourable and he keeps his promise. He said he would empower the people of his constituency with qualitative education abroad, he did it. He said he would not interfere with the selection process for the candidates, not even on grounds of any primordial sentiments, and he did it. This I find very remarkable because if it were otherwise, people like me would most likely never have been on the preferred list and I know it. Whilst I strive to make the best of this opportunity given me, I urge all and sundry to emulate Hon. Dakuku Peterside in creating more empowerment opportunities for the upcoming generation, lest we remain in the woods.”
Benefits of the initiative
Pepple, who bagged his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering (Gas Engineering Option) from the University of Port Harcourt, class of 2010/2011, said: “Every honest and right-thinking mind would agree that education is the greatest legacy any society can give to its youths in order to secure a sustainable future. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. Hence, Hon. Dakuku Peterside is championing the individual initiative and effort to empower youths of his federal constituency with life-time training, skills and competences that will outlive time and temporary materialistic gains.
“The concern of capital flight in paying foreign expertise to develop the state and nation at large is gradually put to rest as local professionals are now exposed to world-class education and training which can be deployed in growing the national economy. As Benjamin Franklin rightly noted: ‘An investment in knowledge pays the best interest’.”
Awortu agrees that the scheme must be bought into by other leaders. Said he: “I strongly recommend that this exemplary leadership be emulated by other people in positions of authority. For this man who is developing human capacity in the communities and, by extension, the state at large instead of giving out guns, we must salute him.”
Awortu, who is studying at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, added: “Hon. Dakuku Peterside is an exceptional leader, a capacity builder, a community developer, a bridge builder, a man of his words (Talku na do man) and I will forever remain grateful to God for bringing him my way.”
Miss Ngerebara, who is studying for an Msc in Information Systems and Data Management, believes the country will develop better if leaders emulate Peterside.
She said: “Hon. Peterside is a very humble and kind-hearted man because only someone with such qualities will remember his people and carry out such charitable work. He has proven to be a great leader, who not only believes he needs to carry his people along but has also shown me that he really believes in our youths being the future; that is why he has done this. This kind act of his has inspired me greatly to give back no matter the position I get to because alot of people out there need it and to say a big thank you to Warisenibo Hon Dakuku Peterside.”
