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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Austin Akobundu, has described education as the most enduring investment any society can make.
Senator Akobundu, who stated this in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, at the weekend, while giving educational grants to 214 students from his constituents, noted that empowering young people with knowledge and skills remains the surest pathway to prosperity, social progress, and economic transformation.
Senator Akobundu said the initiative was designed to ensure that no academically qualified student from the senatorial district is denied the opportunity to complete his or her education because of financial handicap.
Akobundu, who urged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them by remaining focused on their studies, admonished them to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity.
“I will advise you to avoid examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, prostitution, truancy, and other social vices, while at the same time encourage you to respect constituted authorities, attend lectures diligently, and graduate with excellent academic records and exemplary character”.
The Senator revealed that the educational grant programme was one component of a broader development agenda that prioritises education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
He disclosed that 400 secondary school students from Abia Central had been sponsored for specialised training in Embedded Systems, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence, while another 360 youths acquired competencies in software development, cyber security, data science, graphic design, web development, user interface and user experience design, digital marketing and foreign exchange trading.
He also stated that 113 indigenes of the senatorial district were awarded full three-year scholarships at the National Teachers Institute to train as professional teachers, adding that the beneficiaries are now in their final year of study.
Assuring constituents of sustained support, Senator Akobundu said the educational grant programme had been institutionalised as part of his legislative agenda and would continue to expand to accommodate more deserving students as resources become available.
He recalled that his office had previously trained and empowered hundreds of women and young people in tailoring and modern agriculture, providing beneficiaries with equipment, farm inputs, and financial support to establish sustainable businesses.
He added that another 300 women and youths received training in pastry production and cosmetics manufacturing, and were provided with starter packs to launch their enterprises.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Stanley Nwabuisi, said the beneficiaries emerged through a transparent online application and screening process, with additional consideration given to students identified as genuinely indigent.
He explained that the programme was established to reduce financial barriers to higher education and create opportunities for talented young people to realise their academic aspirations.
Vice Chancellor of Amadeus University, Amizi, Professor Henry Eke, who represented the institution’s proprietor, Dr Godwin Nwabunka, commended Senator Akobundu for demonstrating practical leadership through sustained investment in education.
Professor Eke described the initiative as a strategic contribution to human capital development and urged the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the grants while remaining committed to academic excellence.
Centre Manager of the National Teachers Institute, Ikwuano, Mrs Victoria Ebila, expressed appreciation for the sustained sponsorship of students enrolled in the Nigeria Certificate in Education programme, describing the intervention as a significant relief for many families and a major contribution to teacher education.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Okechukwu Manasseh Destiny, a Law student of Abia State University, thanked Senator Akobundu for the educational support, describing it as a timely intervention that would strengthen the determination of many students to complete their education and contribute meaningfully to society.
