By John Ikani
The Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum NYPF, Moses Siloko Siasia has awarded scholarships to the children of late Joe Blackson.
Blackson was a 39-year-old Rivers State indigene and father of two who tragically drowned in a boat accident at the Port Harcourt-Bakana waterways on July 28, 2018, after saving 13 co-passengers and attempting to save more.
Siasia, a former Governorship Candidate in Bayelsa State announced the award of the scholarship on Saturday during a swimming competition organised by Joe Blackson Foundation in commemoration of the deceased third death anniversary held at the national stadium swimming pool arena in Abuja.
The NYPF Boss who represented former lawmaker Dr. Dawari George described Blackson as “a nationalist who gave his life that others may live.”
According to him: “Blackson exhibited extraordinary courage and gallantry in the face of great danger to his own safety and well-being.
“His selflessness and kindness are hard to find in present-day society
where people are uncaring, callous and selfish.
“This is why the family of Moses Siloko Siasia is committing to support and add value to the education of Blackson’s kids up to university level with the sum of #500,000 per annum.”
Siasia also called on government and well-meaning Nigerians, including survivors saved by Blackson from drowning to support the Joe Blackson Foundation and his children.
The Joe Blackson Foundation was established in 2019 in commemoration of the deceased’s first death anniversary.
Now in its third year, the foundation is dedicated to teaching children and adults swimming techniques to prevent drowning from boat and water accidents.
