By Emma Ogbuehi
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has announced automatic scholarship to Ebizi Blessing Eradiri, a lawyer, for her Master and Doctorate degrees in any university in Nigeria or abroad.
Eradiri is the first female First Class graduate from the Faculty of Law of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), a feat she repeated at the Nigerian Law School.
Senator Diri, while formally receiving her and her father, Mr. Boloupaye Eradiri, at the Government House, Yenagoa, also offered her automatic employment to lecture at the NDU Facility of Law.
The governor in a press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, assured her of the state government’s support in advancing her educational career in any university of her choice anywhere in the world.
His words: “I hereby announce automatic scholarship for Barr. Eradiri’s Master and Doctorate degrees, which will not be restricted to Nigerian universities but any university in any part of the world she gains admission.
“As a Visitor to the NDU, I also direct that she be given automatic employment to lecture at the Facility of Law. You have the support of your family and your government to fly higher because what you have achieved is just the beginning.”
Diri, who also announced Eradiri as the New Face of the Bayelsa Girl Child, said the gesture was aimed at making her a role model for young girls in the state and the entire Ijaw nation to emulate.
He equally dismissed speculations, particularly in the social media, about his government’s choice of honouring Miss Nengi Hampson of the last edition of Big Brother Naija fame while refusing to recognise Eradiri as blatant lies.
“Today has brought to an end speculations, especially in the new media, about our refusal to honour Barr. Eradiri while we have honoured Nengi of the Big Brother Naija fame. This is a blatant lie.
“It is unfortunate that everything has to be politicised. For us, education is our number one priority.”
Diri, who expressed concern about politicisation of issues in the state, however assured that his administration’s investments in educational sector would remain a priority.
Describing Eradiri as an exceedingly brilliant and rising star, the governor congratulated her for making history in bagging first class honours not only at the NDU but also at the Nigerian Law School.
He also sought the Federal Government assistance towards the young lawyer’s development beyond what the state government was offering to enable her add value not only to her state but the entire country.
In his remarks, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Clan, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said they were proud of the breakthroughs achieved by their daughter from primary to the tertiary level and that she deserved to be encouraged.
King Dakolo, who described Eradiri as exceptionally good, said she had won over 50 laurels spanning her primary and tertiary education.
“Today we are presenting to you Barr. Eradiri. She collected every single prize that there was from her primary, secondary and university days. She had a huge number of prizes,” he said.
The monarch, who stressed that Eradiri deserves support both from the state and federal governments, however announced the passage of her mother, Mrs Rose Eradiri, last week Tuesday.
In her brief remarks, Miss Eradiri expressed gratitude to the governor for the honour done her, attributing her success to God and her exposure to good educational infrastructure. A minute silence was observed in honour of Eradiri’s mum.
