The former Governor of Abia State (1999-2007), His Excellency, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu through his foundation, Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, where he is the Chairman, sponsored the highly competitive silk road postgraduate scholarship training of three of his constituents to China.
The former Chief Whip of the 9th Senate made this public through his official social media platforms, where he noted that he was delighted that three of his constituents have just left Nigeria enroute China for their postgraduate studies on a fully funded scholarship in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy through the Chinese Scholarship Council CSC.
”I am delighted to announce that three of my constituents have departed Nigeria for China to pursue their postgraduate studies on fully sponsored scholarships through the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC), facilitated by the Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation.” Kalu noted.
Kalu revealed that the full scholarship covered free tuition, lodging, comprehensive medical insurance and a living allowance, which will ensure the students concentrate on their studies and research under a stable mind.
Amongst the beneficiaries are Sunny O. Idika, who hails from Ohafor Ward, Ohafia LGA, he will be doing his Masters in Business Administration in Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, a native of Eziama Agbo Ward, Nneato, Umunneochi LGA, Mr. Emmanuel Iheakachukwu Odoemelam, a doctoral program candidate in Organic Chemistry, who will be studying at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, BUCT and Kingsley Onwukwe Orji from Igbere Ward A, Bende LGA who will do his Masters in Business Administration at Zhejiang Normal University, Jinshua Province.
The doctoral student, Odoemelam Emmanuel, a member of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, CSN, who spoke to our correspondent on behalf of the other two candidates, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, thanked Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for nominating them for this great experience which will further expose them to jet age innovative ways of doing research, making impact and bringing back home what they have learnt in China to add value to the Nigerian workforce and technical know-how.
”The process of the admission was actually a tough one. It was highly competitive and rigorous. It was a selection of the best of the best of the brightest minds from millions of people who applied across the globe. Writing of research proposals and study plans, getting reference letters from two referees, passport, international interviews, transcripts, publications, foreigner physical fitness certification, police character certificate which has an expiration window of not more than 3 months and most importantly getting an acceptance letter from a professor that will be willing to accept you especially for the Ph.D program. At some point, I became disturbed, but Senator Kalu encouraged me to keep searching, that having secured the scholarship we must get a supervisor. I am the only Nigerian admitted into BUCT, China to do my doctoral program. Abia North Senatorial District is so lucky to have a man with a global influence representing them in the Nigerian Senate. It’s an honor to have Senator Kalu at the red chamber. When I come to social media and see uninformed narratives the younger generation write online, I laugh, because they are not well informed of the capacity of Senator Kalu.” Emmanuel stressed.
Recall that not quite long, Kalu sponsored thousands of Nigerians to study in the UK, South America, USA, Nigeria and China under the scholarship of Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation. These are modern, long plans of how to change the society for good, because this was exactly how India and China rose to become powerful countries in Science and Technology. Imagine if the 469 lawmakers in the National Assembly copies this wonderful model from Kalu, you will agree with me that in the next 20-30 years, Nigerian scientists will be a force to reckon with in the global space.
Kalu while attracting and delivering quality projects to Abia North, he is also sponsoring bills that are in vogue with technology, green environment and new ways of doing things. Kalu who is a lover of education has sponsored many educational bills amongst which is the Bill to make education for children completely free and also make it a punishable offense for parents who refuse sending their children to school.
Our correspondent has it that the three candidates landed safely in Beijing and Jinshua and are currently doing their registration and also getting ready to resume lectures.
Ukpabi Kelvin Otieno, Abuja
