By FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI-THE Delta State Government, yesterday, awarded post graduate scholarships valued at N196million to 36 first class students of the state origin to study in any university of their choice in the world.

Presenting cheques and letters of offer to the beneficiaries, the state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, said the state government was committed to its human capital development, starting from the birth of a child, a policy which he said necessitated the free maternal healthcare programme of the state.

From left, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; Special Assistant, Students Affairs, Mr. Mike Akpobire and Miss Bridget Ogharaduku,during the disbursement, in Asaba, yesterday.

He said government had improved on ante-natal care, which could give rise to more first class students of the state origin in another 20 years, adding that the state has the best brains in the country.

He said that government has funds for all categories of scholarships it has approved,  and appealed to the beneficiaries to be of good conduct and good ambassadors of the state.

Uduaghan said that the state government was committed to the annual payment of the scholarship. He pointed out that the scholarship award was not tied to the beneficiaries working with government upon graduation.