Abia Central district senator, Austin Akobundu has awarded scholarships to 113 students of National Teachers Institute, Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre in the state as part of his human capital development programme.

At the inauguration/matriculation ceremony of 157 students of the institute, Akobundu, who was the special guest of honour said the gesture was part of his 2023 general election campaign promises.

The deputy chairman of the Senate committee on national planing and economic affairs used the forum to announce the kick-off of registration for his scholarship programme for tertiary institutions regular students.

He said preparations were on to launch his entrepreneurship technological training scheme aimed at equipping its participants with essential business skills and knowledge required to make them self-employed and successful.

“While congratulating you for the occasion, let me also assure you that I will not only pay your school fees, but will always stand by you throughout the duration of your studies,” the retired army colonel noted.

On his part, the national director and chief executive officer of the institute, Musa Maitafsir, represented by the state coordinator, Benita Oviosun urged the students to maximize the benefits of the opportunity.

He explained that the institute was expected to become a degree awarding in the near future as the bill to that effect had passed its second reading at the House Representatives.

Similarly, the centre manager, Uche Emenike, said the institute had gone far in transforming its activities from traditional, analogue, to modern, and also from better to best way of impacting knowledge.

The facilitator of the centre, Phillip Iroegbulam, also commended the Peoples Democratic Party senator for the intervention, describing teaching as a godly and noble profession.

The Methodist Bishop of Ndoro Diocese, Udo Nmeregini, represented by the diocesan assistant synod secretary, Jonathan Okoroafor, said education is critical to human and societal development and prayed for both the students and the centre to succeed.