Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has awarded full scholarships to members of Team Rivers who emerged winners of the National Inter-Schools Debate Championship.

Fubara announced the scholarship on Friday during the inauguration of the newly reconstructed Bonny National Grammar School in Bonny.

He said the scholarship was part of his administration’s commitment to education, youth development and creating opportunities for young people in the state.

The governor said education remained the state’s most critical investment in the future, adding that the reconstruction of the historic school demonstrated a shift from promises to tangible development.

He said the school, which began in 1965 as a community initiative, had produced many prominent sons and daughters of Bonny Kingdom.

Fubara said the reconstruction was also intended to reassure the people of Bonny that they remained an integral part of Rivers State.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr Peter Nwagor, said the reconstructed school included renovated classrooms, fully equipped Chemistry, Biology and Physics laboratories, a technical workshop, ICT centre, modern hostels and staff quarters.

He added that the project also featured an assembly hall, sick bay, furnished library, sports arena, internal roads and drainage, solar-powered streetlights and upgraded electricity infrastructure.

Nwagor said other facilities included perimeter fencing, a security gatehouse, interlocking pavements and a car park.

Fubara said his administration would continue to implement development projects in Bonny, expressing satisfaction with the transformation of the school.

The governor also commended the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward William Asimini Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, for his leadership and efforts to attract development to the kingdom.