the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun in Delta State, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, has described reading as the secret to academic success.
Rim-Rukeh who spoke, on Sunday at a scholarship award ceremony in Oviorie, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta, urged youths to imbibe the culture of reading.
At the scholarship award organised by the Ovu Foundation, a community-based NGO, the vice chancellor said that hard work remained the surest path to success.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Master Godswill Ohre, a primary six pupil from T. E. A. Salubi Primary School, Ovu Inland, emerged winner of the 2024 edition of the award.
Rim-Rukeh, also the President, Ovu Foundation, said that knowledge was hidden inside books.
He said that it was important for young people to seek knowledge early through reading in order to become useful and successful in life.
The V-C said that the foundation was established 11 years ago with the objective to providing educational services to pupils in Ovu Community.
“The foundation provides school uniforms, exercise books, other writing materials and learning aids to pupils in the community annually.
“We urge young people to take their studies seriously. There can be no success without hard work,” he said.
Also speaking, Prof. Alp honsus Isara, the Chairman of the scholarship committee, said that the 2024 scholarship award was the fourth organised by the foundation.
He added that pupils from T. E. A. Salubi Primary School, Ovu Inland, had repeatedly won the award in the past four years.
“Ten primary schools within the community competed for the award this year, one pupil came tops.
“The initiative is aimed at giving back to the community. It is also to encourage young people to get focused on their studies.
“The winner will be assisted to achieve secondary school education. Nobody knows what this little help may lead to in the future,” he said.
Responding, Dr. Juliet Ataine, the Head Teacher, T.E.A Salubi Primary School, thanked the foundation for the initiative, and described it as well-intended.
Represented by the Assistant Head Teacher, Mr. Peter Akponemu, Ataine expressed the commitment of the school to enthrone hard work and discipline in academic learning.
The father of the recipient, Mr. Ohre Benson, thanked the foundation for the award, and urged it not to relent efforts in supporting the growth of the younger generation.
A cheque of N250,000 was presented to the recipient during the event.(NAN)
