The latest recipients brought the total number of beneficiaries in the past three years to 263.
The scholarship for the beneficiaries comprising of public secondary school students and undergraduates of tertiary institutions across the country is the third in the series organized by the Board of Administrators of the Matthew Urhoghide Scholarship Scheme (MUSS).
Urhoghide of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said that the scholarship scheme for poor students was one of the promises he made in the heat of the campaign in 2015.
Against all odds, he said that he has kept the faith in the last three years starting from the 2016/2017 academic session when he kick-started it.
The pharmacist cum politician noted that he has proven in the last three years that he is committed to adding value to the lives of students and undergraduates of the Bini people of Edo South senatorial district with the awards.
So far, Urhoghide said that he has spent over N25 million of his personal fortune to assist the beneficiaries to meet up with their educational requirements, a development that has lifted a huge burden from the shoulders of parents and guardians.
He assured the people of Edo South senatorial district of his readiness, willingness and commitment to continue with the scholarship awards as long as he remains the senator representing the district.
A breakdown of the beneficiaries showed that a total of 88 students and undergraduates were captured in the first edition of the scholarship scheme in 2016 at the maiden event while 87 students benefited in 2017 for a grand total of 263 students so far.
Over the years, many Edo South indigenes, residents who have benefited from the scholarship scheme and independent assessors of the scheme, have continued to commend Senator Urhoghide for his interest in the educational pursuit of sons and daughters of the district, and for taking a bolder step forward to put in place an impartial.
The three-man Board of Administrators is headed by the former Vice-Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. Denis Agbonlahor while Dr Emmanuel Egharevba is Secretary and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Barrister Ogbodu.
Urhoghide reiterated his unalloyed belief in human capital development, especially through education as a bulwark against poverty and anti-social infiltrations.
He assured that he would continue to use his salaries and allowances at the upper legislative chambers to fund the scholarship scheme.
The senator emphasized that the scheme was non-partisan, non-religious and is open to indigent but intelligent students in public secondary and tertiary institutions across the seven local government areas of the south senatorial district.
The politician added that he was determined to check the growing poverty rate among the people, through regular women/youth empowerment and skill acquisition programmes that would create commercial activities for the people so as to be able to eke out a sustainable living.
A top member of the PDP and the party’s 2016 governorship candidate in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu commended Urhoghide for rising above the mediocre levels of others who represented the people of Edo South at the Senate in the past.
He maintained that the lawmaker has remained the bulwark for the poor and downtrodden in a state where the government has abandoned its duties in form of the awards of a bursary to students and continue to give excuses for its failure.
The governorship candidate expressed optimism that with the sterling performance of Senator Urhoghide, these past three years, in which he has pleasantly embarrassed the people of Edo South with a plethora of people-oriented projects and programmes.
Another too member of the party in Edo South, Elder Owere Dickson Imasogie eulogized Urhoghide, remarked that the annual scholarship awards have lightened the burden of responsibility on parents of the beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Mr John Agbontaen showered encomiums on Urhoghide for his generosity, promising that they will justify the award by studying hard and passing their examinations.