There was a mild drama on Monday when officials of the ministry of science and technology appeared before a house of representatives committee to defend the 2021 budget proposal.
Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the house of
representatives committee, had countered Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of science and
technology, on the transparency of the selection process for the scholarship
scheme of the ministry.
According to NAN, Onu explained that the scholarship scheme
is to reward students in science and innovation, and the competition usually
begins at the local government level.
He added that three students who emerged as the overall best
in the science competition are awarded scholarships to doctorate level.
However, Abiante, lawmaker representing Adoni/Opobo/Nkoro
federal constituency in Rivers, queried the selection process and told Onu to
produce evidence to back his claim.
The lawmaker said such examinations had never been conducted
in any of the local government areas of his constituency.
“You should have borrowed a leaf from Cowbell competition,
sponsored by a dairy firm, where it is usually relayed live on television for
the audience to watch and judge accordingly to ensure that such exercise is not
done in secrecy. It should rather be made open to the public for the sake of
transparency,” Abiante said.
Responding, Onu said the claim that the selection process
was shrouded in secrecy was false.
“First, examinations will be conducted by local governments
and anyone who emerges best will be taken to the state level to compete with
others from other local governments. The state will then forward the best
student to Abuja to compete with winners from other states. Then, the three
best will be selected and sponsored to doctorate level,” the minister said.
“I am not somebody that will come here and say things that
are not verifiable; we are determined to succeed.”
Onu’s attempt to explain further was cut short by Beni Lar,
the committee chairman, who called for an executive session to address the
issues raised on the selection process.
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