The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, Chief Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, has sponsored the registration of 1,900 candidates for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at a cost of ₦66.5 million.
Ogalagu, Chairman of Zelus Group of Companies and Chief Executive Officer of Zelunjo Empowerment Foundation, formally flagged off the registration exercise at Practising School, Ezzamgbo, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State at the weekend.
The event drew education stakeholders, community leaders, school administrators, students, parents and supporters from across the federal constituency.
Speaking during the ceremony, Ogalagu said the initiative was part of his commitment to promoting education and easing the financial burden on indigent families.
He assured parents, guardians and supporters that the foundation would sustain its educational intervention programmes, stressing that the beneficiaries represented the future leadership of the nation.
According to him, investment in education remains one of the most effective tools for societal transformation and sustainable development.
"We will continue to support humanity and assist families who cannot afford the cost of education for their children. These students are the leaders of tomorrow and deserve every opportunity to succeed," he said.
The Ebonyi State WAEC Branch Controller, Mrs Gloria Mgbike, commended Ogalagu for the intervention, describing it as a significant contribution to educational development in the state.
Mgbike noted that the sponsorship would enable hundreds of students who might otherwise have been unable to sit for the examination to realise their academic aspirations.
She expressed appreciation to the foundation for the gesture and prayed for greater success in Ogalagu's future endeavours.
Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Education in Ebonyi State, Barrister Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo, described the initiative as unprecedented, revealing that the businessman committed over ₦66.5 million to cover examination fees and related logistics for participating schools.
Agbo said he initially doubted the feasibility of registering such a large number of candidates but was impressed when Ogalagu fulfilled the promise.
He further extolled the APGA chieftain's philanthropic record, including scholarship schemes and facilitation of employment opportunities for youths across the state.
"A man who has never occupied any political office but has impacted lives in this manner deserves commendation. What he has done is exceptional and worthy of emulation," Agbo stated.
Other education stakeholders who spoke at the event also lauded the initiative, describing it as one of the largest privately funded educational interventions in Ebonyi State.
Among them were the Pioneer Registrar of Federal Polytechnic Ohodo, Enugu State, Barrister Mrs Grace Ezeali; Principal of St Michael's Secondary School, Ezzamgbo, Mr Jacob Agbo Onwe; Principal of Anglican Transfiguration College, Umuogudu Oshia, Dr Obinna Awoke; and Dean of Stella Maris College, Oguzoronweya Nkaliki, Mr Mbam Israel.
The educators commended Ogalagu's sustained investment in education, youth empowerment and job creation, urging beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture through academic excellence and responsible conduct.
Some of the beneficiaries also expressed gratitude, describing the sponsorship as a lifeline for their families.
One of the students, Miss Chinemerem Edeh, said she was overwhelmed with joy, noting that the intervention had given her the opportunity to pursue her educational ambitions despite her family's financial challenges.
Another beneficiary, Miss Gift Nworie, described the sponsorship as a life-changing opportunity and prayed for God's blessings upon the benefactor.
The event commenced with a Holy Mass and featured a solidarity march by students from participating schools, women groups, market associations and various support organisations.
The colourful procession, accompanied by cultural performances and displays of voter cards by supporters, reflected widespread appreciation for the educational intervention and demonstrated strong grassroots support for Ogalagu.
Beneficiaries and community members pledged their support for the APGA candidate, citing his numerous humanitarian interventions, including educational sponsorships, scholarship programmes, free medical outreaches and the facilitation of over 500 employment opportunities for youths across the state.
The WAEC sponsorship programme is one of several empowerment initiatives undertaken by the Zelunjo Empowerment Foundation in the areas of education, youth development, scholarships, healthcare and emloyment support across Ebonyi State.
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