The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) has presented Research Grant Awards to Scholars of Tertiary Institution in the State.

Beneficiaries of the Research Grants include Prof. Dr. Mansi El-Mansi, UAT, Faith Ajiebabhio, UAT, Dr. Egbo Walamam Mansi, BYPOLY, Prof. Oghenekaro Godwin Egbi, NDU while others are; Prof Chika Oyinyechi-Duru, NDU, Dr. Godwin Poi, UAT, Dr. Godswill O. Tesi, UAT and Mrs. Timinipre Ameabi, BMU.

Speaking, during the Awards ceremony at the NUJ, Press Centre, Ekeki, Yenagoa, the Acting Chairman of EDTF, Professor Francis Sikoki who said, the EDTF places high premium in scientific research programmes as it would provide sustainable solutions in solving human and environmental problems as well as societal challenges.

Prof. Sikoki who expresses confidence in their abilities to deliver on the project, urged the beneficiaries to be steadfast in their research projects to provide positive result that would be beneficial to humanity and the development of the society at large.

In her welcome remarks, The Executive Secretary EDTF, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo equally expressed delight over the unwavering commitment of the researchers geared towards the advancement of humanity and the society through research and innovations.

According to her, research projects are critical programmes that go beyond the ordinary laboratories experiment stating that, the outcome of the research should carry the potentials to impact on the lives of the people.

She urged them to remain committed and passionate with their project with the view to ensuring positive change and development in the human society especially in Bayelsa state.

Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah who was represented by the Director of Higher Technical and Sciences Education of the Ministry, Mr. Diepreye Abidikan commended the EDTF and expressed satisfaction with the fund’s effort towards promoting education in the State.

The Education Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to be dedicated and make effective use of the opportunities given them stressing the need for the researchers to come up with the best research project that would attract positive development in the educational sector to enable them compete favourably with other of their counterparts in the world.

He also commended Governor Douye Diri for his passion in the education at all levels and promised the Ministry’s commitment to support the EDTF programme.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries of the research grant, Dr. Godwin Poi, expressed appreciation to the EDTF for the honour done them and assured of their commitment towards ensuring that, every research project carried out would bring transformational development of the people of the State as well as the larger society.

According to him, the maiden edition of the Research Grants was a call to duty as well as an onerous task which will serve as a foundation for the other researchers while promising to make the EDTF and the people of the State proud.

Dr. Poi used the occasion to thanked Governor Douye Diri for providing the enabling environment through the EDTF to support them adding that Bayelsa State will stand out tall at the end of their research projects.