In his bid to promote academic excellence amongst students of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, HRM Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso (JP), OON, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, has promised cash awards to best students of the institution.

Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso (JP), Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom (left) being congratulated by Professor Akii Ibhadodeh, the Vice Chancellor of FUPRE

The traditional ruler whose promise was contained in his address shortly after he was conferred with a honorary doctorate degree of science during the maiden convocation of the University on Tuesday, March 14th, promised a cash prize of N50,000 for the best graduating petroleum engineering student per session for ten sessions and another cash prize of N100,000 for the overall best graduating student per session for ten sessions and that the cash awards will commence from 2016/2017 to the applause of all at the ceremony.

The monarch further disclosed that on ascension to the throne, nine years ago, he constituted an Education/Scholarship Administration Committee, which has offered scholarships to many indigent students of Uvwie origin, including non-indigenes residing in Uvwie, and that an Hausa/Fulani-born female resident benefitted from the scheme right from her primary school to the university level.

While dedicating the award to those who contributed to the establishment of the university, the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom expressed his profound gratitude to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, for his support to the university, particularly on the award and commencement of work on the Ugbomro Road, as he noted that “the completion of the road will not only be an added facelift to Ugbomro and Iteregbi communities as a university town, but also open up the economy of the area as investors will be attracted to the community and environs.

He had earlier expressed appreciation to the university authorities for the gesture as he vowed that the gesture will spur him to do more for the university and humanity.