The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has expanded his annual scholarship programme, disbursing ₦100 million to 930 indigent undergraduate and postgraduate students in Ebonyi State.
The senator said the expansion of the scheme was driven by his determination to ensure that more financially disadvantaged students remain in school and complete their education.
Addressing the beneficiaries during the presentation of the scholarships, Nwebonyi explained that the number of beneficiaries increased significantly following additional requests from qualified students.
According to him, the scholarship programme, which initially targeted 500 students, was first increased to over 800 before another batch of more than 100 students was added, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 930.
"I expect them to be serious with their studies because, like I said, in our own time I didn't have this type of opportunity. I didn't benefit from anybody in the form of scholarship.
"But now, things have changed. People like us are out to support them to make sure that indigent students do not drop out of school.
"This is why we increased it from 500 to over 800 students, and while I was here, I got another list of over 100 students. So, we decided to accommodate them.
"I expect the students, inasmuch as I have carved out this money with the support of my well-wishers and supporters, to utilise this opportunity wisely and ensure they do not join cultism," he said.
The lawmaker advised the beneficiaries to remain focused on their academic pursuits and avoid all forms of social vices, stressing that education remains the surest path to leadership and national development.
"They should read from the classroom to their reading desks. That is what I did, and today I am a lawyer. That gave me the edge to be in the Senate.
"We expect that tomorrow we are going to have better leaders than us because we have given them a golden opportunity to excel," he added.
Nwebonyi also urged the students to avoid using social media to castigate leaders, encouraging them instead to support constructive leadership and contribute positively to society.
He noted that the scholarship initiative complements the education policies of the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Nwifuru, whom he commended for awarding local and foreign scholarships to more than 1,000 students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees.
Speaking on behalf of the wife of the Governor, Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Felicia Nwamkpuma, described the scholarship programme as a strategic investment in the future of Ebonyi youths.
She said the initiative reflects Senator Nwebonyi's commitment to human capital development and supports the state government's efforts to expand access to quality education and youth empowerment.
She congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make the most of the opportunity by remaining diligent in their studies, upholding excellence and shunning all forms of negative behaviour.
"Let this scholarship inspire you to become responsible citizens who will contribute meaningfully to the development of our state and the nation," she said.
