Each targeted Itsekiri community in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta Central Senatorial District, and Edo State has been given a deadline of 31 August to submit the names of three ’ligible Itsekiri students, who must be indigenes of their respective communities, for inclusion in the final batch of beneficiaries of the Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR Itsekiri Students’ Bursary Scheme.

The Office of the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri to NNPC, in a statement made available to journalists in Warri, disclosed that 746 candidates were shortlisted at the close of the initial application window.

In bid to reach the target of 1,000 beneficiaries, the application window has now been extended, allowing more communities the opportunity to nominate eligible students.

Eligibility criteria for each candidate include: Must be an Itsekiri indigene; Must be in 200 Level or above; Must submit an admission letter and transcript, along with any other supporting academic documents.

The Office further advised that: “Communities are strongly encouraged to cross-check the current shortlist to avoid re-submitting names of students who have already been selected. Duplicate submissions will not be considered.

The targeted communities listed include: Warri South Local Government Area: Aja Osolor, Aja-Dediare, Aja-Etan, Aja-Igba, Ajamimogha, Aji-Pessu, Kpisan, Odogene, Egbokodo, Ekurede, Ifiekporo, Ijala, Ikpisan, Inorin, Atse Olu, Merogun, Obodo, Ode-Itsekiri, Odion, Okere, Omadino, Orere Uluba, Orugbo, Ubeji, Ugbodede, Ugbori, Ugboritseduwa, Ugbuwangue, Usele, Uwakeno, Eyube, and Numa.

Warri North Local Government Area:

Abeugborodo, Dale Oketa, Ebokiti, Ebrohimi, Utonlila, Eghoro, Gbokoda, Jakpa, Koko, Kolokolo, Obonti-Egharaeda, Ogheye Eghoroke, Tebu, Tisun, Udo, Ugbege, Ugboegbelemeji, Ureju, Usor, and Ogheye Dimigun.

Warri South-West Local Government Area: Ajudaibo, Arunton, Bateren, Deghele, Ijaghala, Kantu, Madangho, Ode-Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Orere, Bobi, Ugbegungun, and Ugbolegin.

Sapele Local Government Area:

Aja-Ojigwo, Ajimele, Obontie, and Ogun Aja; Okpe Local Government Area: Aja Ogun Oyibo and Ajatiton.

Uvwie Local Government Area:

Ugbolokposo; Udu Local Government Area: Igbogidi; Ethiope East Local Government Area: Aja-Futughe, Efurokpe, and Ibirifo.

Edo State (Itsekiri communities):

Ikpoba-Okha, Ajamogha, Ajoki, Ologbo, and Kolokolo. (Sunday Tribune)