Federal lawmaker awards scholarship to 172 students in Ebonyi

The Member Representing Ikwo and Ezza South Federal Constituency,Ebonyi State at the National Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Ogah through his foundation “Chinedu Ogah Foundation” have awarded six six-year secondary education  scholarship to One Hundred and Seventy Two (172) students from his Constituency.

Ogah disclosed this during admission/orientation exercise for the new students at Blessed Martins International Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, at the weekend.

According to the Lawmaker and Chairman House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, the gesture is part of his commitment to empower his constituents, thereby reducing insecurity and poverty in the Area.

He assured that the foundation would support the students’ education to the highest level they aspire, stressing that many future leaders, including governors, senators, doctors, and professors are among the beneficiaries.

“Education is the greatest investment for a better society. We are giving you hope because education is life. Tomorrow, one of you may become a governor, lawmaker, or commissioner,” Ogah said.

“We are preparing them as leaders of tomorrow. If we do not give them the right training now, tomorrow will be disastrous. When we are able to give good education to all, especially the indigents in the society, it will go a long way to reduce insecurity and poverty. I believe that anyone with sound education will be focused and useful to himself.

“We are complementing the efforts of our dear Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. We are complimenting the good leadership of Mr President Bola Tinubu. We started this foundation since 1997 and have been awarding scholarship to my indigent but intelligent constituents. We give the scholarship in batches and this 172 belong to batch seven. Many beneficiaries of this foundation are graduates working in various places, catering for themselves and their families.

“The students will be living in the school from first term as new students. We have paid six hundred thousand naira for each of the 172 students and subsequently we shall be paying three hundred thousand naira per term for each student,” he said

In her remarks, the Proprietress of Blessed Martins International College, Mrs. Mary Ogah, urged the students to remain disciplined, respectful, and committed to their studies. She disclosed that the foundation had provided accommodation, meals, and water to ensure that the beneficiaries concentrate fully on their academics.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary), Dr. Donatus Ilang, commended the foundation for domesticating the state government’s education policy at the grassroots. He described the programme as a rare example of partnership between government and private individuals, which has given thousands of students access to quality education.

Parents of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Ogah and the proprietress for their humanitarian gesture and commitment to educational development in Ebonyi State.

However, Chairman of the selection committee, Rev Fr Ifeanyi Ogodo, represented by Emmanuel Aleke, disclosed that 3000 pupils sat for the screening examination but 172 made it and advised them to keep the flag of brilliance flying so high.

Some of the benefiting parents, Njoku Emmanuel, Nwanchor Clement, and Janet Obaji, thanked their benefactor and prayed for more blessings on him.

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE