Initially, the students were supposed to get N100,000, but in a brief speech by Mr Charles Ekanem, an aide to the Senator, he revealed that …
By TheInvestigator
A thousand (1,000) students from Cross River South have benefitted from the 4th edition of the Sen Asuquo Ekpenyong Education Support Initiative. Each got N110,000.
The programme was held at Channel View Hotel in Calabar Municipality. It was attended by undergraduate and postgraduate students from federal and state institutions.
Initially, the students were supposed to get N100,000, but in a brief speech by Mr Charles Ekanem, an aide to the Senator, he revealed that “this is the fourth edition, it started with 500 students, and now it’s 1,000. We paid N50,00 in the first edition, but last year it was N100,000. We don’t know if this year will remain the same or may increase”.
In his remark, the Senator urged the students to “Take your education seriously. Education is the greatest gift you can give anybody”.
He went on to vow that “We’re not doing this for an election, not a campaign. We will keep doing it, whether we’re in this office or not”.
Addressing the issue of the bursary amount for this edition, he said, “Charles came up here and said he doesn’t know what this year’s amount will be after we have agreed”.
Continuing, on a lighter note, he added, “You know, on the street he’s called lossguard. For keeping you waiting, we will task ourselves with an additional N10,000. You will receive two alerts, the first of the already programmed N100,000 and an additional N10,000”.
He drummed up support for the President, State Governor and himself in the forthcoming general elections in 2027. “As we all know, this is the season of sweetness and Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. 2027 is direct for Sweet Prince,” he maintained.
Speaking at the event, Comrade Ewelu Ewelu, the Postgraduate Students’ President of the University of Cross River State, expressed profound gratitude to the Senator.
“His intervention is legendary and impactful in easing the financial burden faced by students,” he said.
Several past beneficiaries from across the district also shared their appreciation for the support.