The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Chief Magnus Chinedum Nkah, has awarded bursaries worth millions of naira to over 60 undergraduates from Ivo Local Government Area of the state as part of efforts to promote access to education and ease the financial burden on students.
Each of the beneficiaries received ₦50,000 under the commissioner's annual bursary scheme, which was formally flagged off at the Ivo Local Government Council headquarters in Isiaka.
Speaking during the disbursement ceremony, Nkah said the initiative was designed to complement the educational development programmes of Governor Francis Nwifuru's administration, particularly its investment in human capital development.
He explained that the bursary scheme was conceived as a practical intervention to support indigent students and assist them in meeting some of their academic and personal financial obligations.
The commissioner also assured that more students from Ivo would benefit from subsequent phases of the programme, indicating that the number of beneficiaries would be expanded in the next disbursement.
Nkah reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the state government's education agenda and expressed appreciation to Governor Nwifuru for providing him with the opportunity to contribute to the development of his community.
He maintained that investing in education remained critical to empowering young people, improving their future prospects and strengthening the human capital base of the state.
The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Council, Mr Michael Anyim, and the Coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, Mr Chinasa Okorie, commended the commissioner for the initiative, describing it as timely support for students grappling with the financial demands of tertiary education.
They noted that the financial assistance would help the beneficiaries offset some of their educational expenses and encouraged other public office holders to embrace initiatives that directly improve the welfare of their constituents.
Some of the beneficiaries, Master Chijioke Nwokocha and Chidiebere Onyeabor, expressed gratitude to Nkah for the intervention, pledging to utilise the funds judiciously to support their academic pursuits.
The ceremony attracted principal officers of the local government council, community stakeholders, town union leaders and students drawn from different parts of Ivo Local Government Area.
