The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has urged beneficiaries of his N100 million Education Support Fund to prioritise academic excellence, shun cultism, and remain focused on becoming productive members of society.
He made the call on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, during the successful disbursement of the tuition interventions to 930 indigent undergraduate and postgraduate students through his annual foundation scholarship scheme.
Initially structured to support 500 beneficiaries, the scheme’s capacity was expanded mid-ceremony to accommodate 930 students in response to rising economic demands.
The funds were disbursed directly to cover the beneficiaries’ academic expenses for the current session.
According to the lawmaker, the initiative directly complements the human capital development agenda of the Ebonyi State Governor, Right Honourable Francis Nwifuru, who recently sponsored over 1,000 graduates on local and international postgraduate scholarships.
Senator Nwebonyi emphasised that the scholarship program was born out of a personal commitment to prevent brilliant, underprivileged youths from dropping out of higher education due to financial constraints.
Reflecting on his own academic journey, he said, ”I expect the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously. During my time, I did not have this type of opportunity or financial sponsorship.
“Today, we are actively stepping in to ensure that financial hardship does not halt the academic pursuits of our youth.”
”As a lawyer, my dedication to my books is what gave me the foundation to serve in the Senate. I expect these students to move straight from their classrooms to their study desks, distance themselves from cultism, and prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
The lawmaker also advised the youth to utilise social media constructively, urging them to focus on nation-building and supportive dialogue rather than the arbitrary online castigation of public leaders.
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Speaking on behalf of the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Felicia Nwamkpuma, commended Senator Nwebonyi’s unwavering commitment to quality representation and human capital development.
”Through this massive financial commitment, Senator Nwebonyi has made a direct investment in the education and future of our youth,” she stated.
“This initiative aligns seamlessly with the state government’s ongoing drive to promote quality education and youth empowerment.”
She added, “We congratulate the beneficiaries and urge them to justify this investment by dedicating themselves to academic excellence, upholding high moral standards, and shunning negative social vices.”
The scholarship disbursement marks another milestone in Senator Nwebonyi’s legislative and constituency intervention framework.
By bridging the financial gap for nearly a thousand students, the initiative significantly bolsters Ebonyi State’s educational development and reinforces regional efforts to build a skilled, secure, and self-reliant youth population.
