ASABA — Delta State Government, yesterday, awarded 15 persons of the state origin with overseas postgraduate scholarship at the cost of N49 million.

It also stated that it has commenced payment of students’ special assistant scheme of the 2008/2009 session to 38,671 undergra-duates students at the cost of N400 million.

Presenting the award at the State Bursary and Scholar-ship Board, Asaba, the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, said the award was aimed at encouraging Deltans to study to the highest level to enable them contribute meaningfully to the manpower base of the state and the country.

Uduaghan disclosed that the state government was making provision for automa-tic overseas postgraduate scholarship award up to P.hd for Deltans who made 1st class in their first degrees.

Noting that any government that could not make provision for qualitative education for its citizens was preparing to fail, the governor reiterated that his administration was committed to improving the lots of all Deltans.

Earlier in his remark, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Peter Amromanoh, said the scholarship award had showcased the level of the present administration’s determination to further better and encourage students in the state to be more committed to their academic pursuit through the financial support services of the state government.

“Our mission here is to further witness government display of ambition, determination and strong demonstration of political will to support and develop the education sector of this state to an enviable position,” he said.