The Executive Director, Finance and Administration on the Board of DESOPADEC, Chief Kome Okpobor yesterday 29th September, 2025 received in audience, members of the National Union of Isoko Students (NUIS) led by their President, Comrade Efedhoma Shelly at the Commission’s Headquarters.
Responding to their presentation, Chief Kome Okpobor clarified that out of the one thousand Isoko students shortlisted for the bursary, only three were not paid due to issues with their bank account details.
“I personally liaised with the bank and it was confirmed that all successful applicants were paid except for three cases with account number problems. The over 400 names you sent to me were unfortunately not part of the official shortlist. Isoko is my mandate area and I am very particular about it because that is my home. Every shortlisted student was paid. However, not every Isoko student can expect to receive bursary,” he explained.
Emphasizing on the importance of transparency, Chief Okpobor urged the Union President to always verify the official shortlist with the Commission before raising alarm.
“We received over a thousand applications from Isoko but could only shortlist a thousand students. What I expected was for the student leadership to check the list directly with us before making assertions,” he stated.
Chief Okpobor further explained that the shortlisting criteria are handled by the office of the Executive Director, Social Services to ensure fairness and avoid bias.
“Our office only makes payments after the shortlisting has been concluded. I am not part of the shortlisting process and that is deliberate to keep the system fair,” he emphasized.
On the disparities in numbers across ethnic groups, Chief Okpobor pointed out that the allocation was based on “production quantum,” which refers to the oil-producing strength of each area. “It is not in my power as EDFA to increase the number for any particular group,” he noted.
On the issue of the exclusion of some Executive Members from the list, Chief Okpobor apologized and promised to correct the situation.
“In the next bursary exercise, all executives will be considered first to ensure that those who worked tirelessly to organize students are not left behind. In fact, for this cycle, I will personally pay the bursary of those Isoko student executives who were left out so their efforts do not go in vain,” he assured.
Also giving clarification on the bursary issue, the Director of Finance and Accounts, DESOPADEC, Mr. Louis Ajie, who was also present at the meeting at the instance of the EDFA, Chief Okpobor explained that the number of shortlisted students varied by nationality.
“Urhobo had over twelve thousand applicants and Isoko had over five thousand. Applications far outweighed the number that could be shortlisted. The fact that you applied does not mean you will automatically be paid. For us in finance, our responsibility is only to disburse payments based on the official list,” Mr. Ajie said.
The visit centered on concerns raised by Isoko students regarding the recently concluded DESOPADEC bursary disbursement where the student leaders expressed worries that while other ethnic nationalities had received their bursaries, many Isoko students were left out, prompting complaints across campuses.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of an award to Chief Kome Okpobor by the National Union of Isoko Students in recognition of his exceptional leadership, immense contributions to education and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the student community at large.
