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Executive Secretary of Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board presents cheque to Mr.Abel Jonathan.

Fortune today, Friday, September 27, 2019, smiled at Mr. Abel Maviano Jonathan, the wunderkind from Enhwe, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State when the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board presented to him a cheque for academic brilliance to enable him pursue masters and Ph.D studies.

Mr.Jonathan, a first class graduate of mathematics from Delta State University, Abraka received the cheque for an undisclosed amount presented by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Hon Sunny Orishedere, at a brief but impressive ceremony in the expansive office of the executive secretary in Asaba.

Jonathan, a 23 years old orphan, lost his both parents to death; his father, late Jonathan Owarie died 15 years ago, and his mother, late Mrs. Roseline Owarie died 13 years ago. He made 4.91, making him the best first class material since DELSUS’s inception, and an overall all time best student. He was accompanied to the event by one of his uncles, Barrister Bayagbon David.

Presenting the cheque, Hon. Orishedere said: “What we are doing today is our usual way of showing to the youths of Delta state, especially that this administration is committed to encouraging them to any positive height they may want to attain.

“The state government didn’t even know that he is an orphan. Government just made the policy to come to the aid of exceptionally brilliant students of the state origin to encourage them. Abel is an example that every Delta child needs to emulate. His determination has brought him to this height. He did not feel that he has no parents; a situation that would have made someone to lose hope and resort to doing negative things,” the Executive secretary said.

He continued: “We thank you for making Delta State proud. We are happy to see and to hear that Deltans are excelling in their various fields of endeavour. To have made this possible, Delta State Government wants to encourage you. Delta State Government wants to encourage outstanding youths of the state to achieve and reach the best heights.”

Orishedere then hand to Jonathan the letter of scholarship award and the first cheque to enable him pursue post graduate studies.

Jonathan’s uncle, representing his parents, Barrister David Bayagbon thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board for being magnanimous and caring. “This is an encouragement. I was there when Governor Okowa made the promise to help indigent but brilliant students, and today, that promise is being fulfilled.”

Expressing his appreciation for the government’s good gesture and aid to him, the recipient, Mr. Jonathan said: “I thank God for this support and I believe that it will help me to achieve my height. I thank the Scholarship Board for this support.”

Jonathan, who came out as the best overall student for the 2017/2018 academic session, is also the overall all time best student with 4.91 in the history of Delta State University. He pledged to be useful to the state by playing his own good part on completion of his post graduate studies.

Speaking to journalists later, Jonathan said he was inspired by the pushing of his aunty, and that the first result he had as an undergraduate he made all ‘As’ and one ‘B’. “When I entered the university, first class was not on my mind. The grace of God helped me,” he said, pointing out that “I put away my browsing phone. There were days we studied for 15 hours.

“Once I resumed at school I avoided all social events. I can’t remember being in any social gathering apart from going to church. I never eyed any girl. I was not eyeing girls. I was nick named the Reading Room.”

To the youth like him, Jonathan said: “It might take long, it might take a while but don’t give up. There are honest ways to making money, and that money is not everything. To Delta youth, I want to encourage them to understand that making fast money does not pay in the long run. Just make money through the right way.

“I had financial challenges; I never had luxury in school, yet, I did not suffer. I ate. And I am very grateful to y family people. Sometimes, I had to go to people, who are ahead of me to seek help,’ Jonathan disclosed.

On what he wants to be and do in life, he said: “My ambition is not just to be lecturer. I want to apply this knowledge. Mathematics is about solving problems. I want to solve problems. I want to come out to help develop models that will help to solve human problems. I thank God for my uncles and aunties who took care of me and my siblings.”
Abel Jonathan.