A 10-year-old poet, Chukwuemeka Obi-Obasi has been rewarded with N6 million scholarship by the federal government for rare display of talent.
Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, who announced the award, said President Goodluck Jonathan approved the scholarship to encourage the emergence of fresh talents.
Obi-Obasi, who performed last week at the opening of the First Annual Conference of Certified Librarians in Abuja, had impressed the minister with his poem titled: “Nigeria my country.”
“This administration has always placed emphasis on discovering talents and encouraging them,” Wike said.
“Such rare display of talents by our young ones is an indication that in spite of the current challenges, there is still hope for our country,” Wike said.
The minister said the N6 million, which would be paid at once, would cover Obi-Obasi’s school expenses to the completion of his secondary education.
Obi-Obasi, who thanked President Jonathan for the scholarship, urged his peers to identify their talents and put them to good use.
The primary five pupil of Heritage Academy, Wuse 11, Abuja, said he hoped to develop his talent in writing and poetry, and also wish to read law in the University.
Also speaking, mother of the boy, Mrs Chinyere Obi-Obasi, described her son’s success as a ‘moment of joy’ for the family.
She said the her family would forever remain grateful to the present administration for the award. [NAN]
