By Victor Enyinnaya on July 1, 2024

• Awards Scholarships To 113 Students, Others

It was carnival like event during the recently in Ikwuano Local Government Area, one of the LGAs that made up his Abia Central Senatorial District. Senator Representing Abia Central, Senator Austin Akobundu, awarded scholarships to 113 students  to pursue their courses of study at the Federal Government owed National Teachers' Institute (NTI), Oboro - Ikwuano Study Centre.

The Distinguished Senator, who was present at matriculation ceremony of 113 students of the Institute Saturday, June 29, declared that the scholarship is in fulfillment of his campaign promises which amongst them centered chiefly on human capacity development.

“I’m here to demonstrate in practical terms what l promised during my campaign to ensure that our young ones would be fully encouraged to this level of education and I am bent on ensuring that is done and it was the nature of its importance that I am physically present to witness this all important ceremony,”  he posited. 

It would be recalled that the scholarship award is spread across the six Local Government Areas that made up Abia Central: Ikwuano, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma L     ocal Government Areas

Senator Akobundu was a Special Guest at the inauguration/ matriculation of students of National Teachers' Institute, Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre held at Oboro High School, Ikwuano on Saturday, June 29, adding that during his electioneering campaign period, he emphatically declared to do everything within his ability to support his constituents in their quest to acquire higher knowledge and academic qualifications.

“I promise once again that I will continue to be in full touch with you and as such would always get first-hand information on the progress and the wellbeing of all. I must express my gladness to see improved facilities on ground today and to witness this life-changing event that empowers our people accordingly,” he recalls.

To demonstrate his readiness in giving back to his people, Distinguished Senator Akobundu categorically informed that his decision to sponsor 113 students for this all important three-year programme which will lead to the award of National Certificate of Education (NCE) after graduation from this Federal owed Institution, would set the tone for more awareness to the importance of education for better society. 

The Senator who also is the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs used the medium to announce that registration has commenced for his scholarship programme for regular students in tertiary institutions.

“Let me also use this opportunity to inform you that their will be commencement of registration for another round of scholarship programme, from your Senator but this time, for regular students in institutions of higher learning in the country.

I’m reassuring you that I will continue to do all within my capacity to ensure my people get the best of education that would enhance their wellbeing and secure future of our sons and daughters towards their quest to attain qualitative education uninterrupted,” he said.  

Correspondingly, Senator Akobundu clearly made known his readiness to begin his Entrepreneurship Technological Training Scheme sooner than later, insists that the programme is aimed at providing applicants with the essential business skills and knowledge required to thrive in the rapidly growing technological industry.

“I must emphasis clearly here that this is one of the programmes too close to my heart as this will equip our people accordingly and provide them the needed opportunities to acquire enduring knowledge, handwork that will be so benefitting to our people and impact positively too, amongst us.. 

“To be honest with you, I’m fully committed to it. It will take off in earnest for the good of the people and their communities,” he recalls.

Also in his speech, the National Director and Chief Executive Officer of NTI, Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir represented by the State Coordinator of NTI, Mrs. Benita Oviosun disclosed that the Institute will soon become a Degree awarding Institute, saying that a bill to that effect has passed its seconding reading in the House Representatives.

The Centre Manager of the Study Centre, Rev. Uche Emenike said, the Institute has gone far in transforming its educational activities from traditional to modern method, analogue to digital, and better to best way of offering academic excellence to students.

In their remarks, the member representing Ikwuano State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Boniface Isienyi represented by Pastor Monday Ironcho, described education as critical to development.

In his own observation, the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Comrade Osinachi Nwaka represented by the Secretary of Ikwuano Local Government Council, Engr. Wilson Onwubuali thanked the Distinguished Senator Akobundu for getting on this massive capacity building not only for Ikwuano people but Abia Central at large.

It would be vividly recalled that the Senator’s initiative is spread over the six (6) Local Government Councils that made up Abia Central Senatorial District. It should also be noted that the six (6) local government constituency offices are fully operational and employed two (2) permanent staff each.

At this juncture, the Senator was accompanied to the august event by his Legislative Coordinators which include: Elder Henry Nwoha, Steven Mpamaugo, Obinna Okey, Chief Ezebuiro, Dan Onwudede, G.O.C Nnaji, Pastor Ikije Ekeleme amongst others.

The Facilitator of the Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre, Hon. Phillip Iroegbulam thanked Senator Akobundu for assisting people of the Senatorial district to acquire higher education and described teaching as godly and noble profession.

He expressed hope that with the take-off of the NTI Study Centre in Ikwuano LGA, more good things will come to the Area.

While addressing the 113 students, Senator Akobundu urged them to contribute in impacting the upcoming generation in Ikwuano and beyond upon their graduation. 

While congratulating the matriculates for their resolve to improve themselves, he tasked them to celebrate their matriculation with pride and renewed commitment to the journey ahead, reassuring them that he would not only pay their school fees, but will always stand by them throughout the duration of their course of study.

The inauguration prayer was said by the Methodist Bishop of Ndoro Diocese, Rt. Rev. Udo U. Nmeregini, represented by the Diocesan Assistant Synod Secretary, Very Rev. Jonathan Okoroafor. 

Highpoints of the inauguration/Matriculation ceremony was a formal handover of the Centre to the people of Ikwuano as well as administering of Matriculation Oath on the matriculates by the Centre’s Head of Department (HOD) of National Certificate of Education (NCE), programme, Mrs. Victoria Ebillah.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted June 30, 2024

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