Senator Akobundu Empowers Over 200 Abia Students with Education Grants

Senator Augustine O. Akobundu, representing Abia Central Senatorial District, has presented education grants to two hundred and seventeen students (217) from the district studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that no indigent student is denied access to education because of financial constraints.

The grant presentation which successfully benefited one hundred and thirteen (113) students from the National Teachers Institute and one hundred and fourteen (114) from other tertiary institutions, held on Saturday at Golden Olive Hotel in Umuahia, attracted students, education stakeholders, political leaders and beneficiaries of the Senator’s various empowerment programmes.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Stanley Nwabuisi, said the educational support initiative was conceived to assist students, particularly indigent ones, in pursuing their academic aspirations.

He explained that applications were received through an online process from students who are indigenes and residents of Abia Central studying in higher institutions across the country. According to him, successful beneficiaries emerged after a transparent screening exercise, while another category of genuinely indigent students was also included.

Nwabuisi assured the beneficiaries that the programme would not be a one-off intervention, stressing that Senator Akobundu remained committed to sustaining educational support for students.

He also congratulated the 113 beneficiaries of the Senator’s scholarship programme at the National Teachers Institute (NTI), noting that they are now in the final year of their three-year NCE programme after enjoying full sponsorship throughout their studies.

In his address, Senator Akobundu described the grants as an investment in the future of Abia Central rather than mere financial assistance.

He recalled that during the 2023 electioneering campaign, he promised to focus on human capital development through impactful representation, adding that the education grants were another fulfilment of that promise.

The Senator highlighted several empowerment initiatives undertaken since assuming office, including the training and empowerment of women and youths in tailoring and agriculture with sewing machines, farm inputs and take-off grants.

He also recalled sponsoring 300 women and youths in paint making and cosmetics production, providing them with start-up kits and financial support to establish their businesses.

According to him, his office sponsored 400 secondary school students for training in Embedded Systems, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, while another 360 youths received training in digital skills such as UI/UX, web design, graphic design, cybersecurity, digital marketing, software development and data science.

Akobundu further noted that 113 students were awarded full scholarships at the National Teachers Institute to train as professional teachers and are now in their final year.

He said the various interventions naturally culminated in the introduction of education grants for undergraduates from Abia Central studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

“We know that many brilliant students are facing severe financial hardship. No child from Abia Central should drop out of school because of poverty while I am your Senator. I may not be able to reach everyone at once, but step by step, we will reach many,” he said.

The lawmaker described education as the greatest investment any society could make, adding that the greatness of a nation is measured by the quality of its educated citizens rather than the sophistication of its weapons or infrastructure.

He charged the beneficiaries to justify the investment by remaining disciplined and shunning examination malpractice, cultism, prostitution, truancy, drug abuse and other social vices.

Akobundu urged them to attend lectures diligently, pursue academic excellence and graduate with both outstanding results and exemplary character.

He assured the students that the education grant scheme had become a core component of his legislative agenda and would continue in the years ahead.

Speaking earlier, the Centre Manager of the NTI Ikwuano Study Centre, Oboro, commended Senator Akobundu for sponsoring the education of 113 students despite financial constraints.

The Centre Manager described the Senator’s intervention as life-changing, noting that while material gifts such as bags of rice may be consumed quickly, education remains a lasting investment.

He thanked the Senator for paying the students’ fees at a stretch and appealed for the establishment of additional Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration centres across Abia Central, particularly in Umuahia, to make voter registration more accessible.

Also speaking, Elder Henry Nwaoha described Senator Akobundu as a worthy representative whose empowerment programmes focus on sustainable development rather than temporary relief.

According to him, educational empowerment outlives material gifts, urging other public office holders to emulate the Senator’s style of governance. He also encouraged Abians to continue supporting Akobundu.

On behalf of political party chairmen, Comrade Osondu Ajuzie urged beneficiaries to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, saying previous beneficiaries of the Senator’s empowerment programmes were already experiencing economic improvement.

Professor Henry Eke, a Professor of Law, described the education grants as another bold step by Senator Akobundu to support deserving students in achieving their academic ambitions.

He commended the Senator’s sustained interest in education, recalling that he had previously sponsored over 400 students in Embedded Engineering, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the grant to the overjoyed students, who prayed for the Senator for the grant, which they said will help in their education.