House of Representatives Chief Whip and member representing Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi of Abia State, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has awarded scholarships to 10 indigent students from senior secondary school to university level.
According to a statement, beneficiaries were are drawn from the two local governments she represents and she expressed intention that another batch of awardees would benefit from her humanitarian services to the people of the state in the last decades.
Onyejeocha who was in her state to celebrate her birthday with members of her constituency, had two separate interactive session with students from various secondary schools, which include: Wesley International College, Paruosia Secondary School, Prince Nnamdi Ekebuisi Secondary School, Mbala Secondary School, Marta Christi Academy and Ovim Girls Secondary.
At the session, she spoke with journalists virtually, hinting that the periodic gesture was aimed at further rebuilding and repositioning the state to make it catch up with the current global literacy level.
She stated that she was optimistic that all the beneficiaries understood the importance of the scholarship, noting that adding that the competitive nature of selection has positively affected the performance of many both at secondary level and undergraduate students.
“This is not new. It is something we have been doing over the years and we will continue to do it to the best of our ability because it will inspire the beneficiaries and the youths in general to drive the necessary change that will lead to sustainable development in the state, in Nigeria and even on the global scale.
“I am an irrepressible advocate of child rights, the educational advancement of my people who I am out to serve. So, the decision is based on my conviction that human capital development has a long-term impacts on the productivity and development of every society.
“We are taking it seriously as part of effort to address the rising statistics of out of school children in the country”, said.
The fourth times House member, during the interactive session with the students, urged them to be of good behavior and maintain high moral standard to enable them distinguish themselves among their peers.
Onyejeocha also charged them to begin to learn the dynamics of their political environment and also actively involved in politics upon graduation from the university to build a better political environment for the next generation.
Her advice followed responses from most of the students who during the interaction said they would rather pursue other careers than indulging in politics.
She said: “I am standing here today as an example. I grew up in a very humble background, learning the ropes from my parents. Politics is not a bad career as people make you believe. If you said it is bad, then you have to be actively involved as good citizens to make it attractive”.
“If you leave it in the hands of bad people, who then will build the better society you want?” she asked.
