ONE hundred and eighty-six youths of Akwa Ibom State are to benefit from a special scholarship programme.

Thirty-one of them are for postgraduate studies and 155 for undergraduate studies.

Governor Udom Emmanuel announced this at a special end of year get together for Akwa Ibom Youths at Christ the King Primary School, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the state capital.

He said he is passionate about building the capacity of youths, who are vanguards of the future, to enable them measure up with their contemporaries in other clime.

The governor disclosed that 1, 200 youths from the state have gained employment through the social reorientation programme, Dakkada, and 1, 000 jobs are in the offing through a website to be open this month.

Emmanuel reiterated his commitment to building a legacy for youths through constant interactions at a summit, where agenda for development would be drawn.

The governor, who used the occasion to extend seasonal greetings to the youths, noted that the unity of the country is anchored on equity and justice; hence he urged them to rise above biases and chart a pathway to greatness.

He commended them for turning out in their numbers for the event and the overwhelming support given to the divine mandate, which he told them to protect.

His Special Assistant on Youth Matters, Aniefiok Iwa Udofia, expressed appreciation to the governor for setting the pace for industrial revolution in the state.