The Senator Representing Abia Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Austin Akobundu, has awarded scholarships to 113 students of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre.
The senator, who made gesture during the matriculation of 157 students of the institute on Sunday, said the scholarship is in fulfillment of his campaign promises which amongst them centered on human capacity development.
The scholarship award is spread across the six local government areas of Abia Central that includes: Ikwuano, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma.
The senator, who was a Special Guest at the inauguration/ matriculation of students of National Teachers’ Institute, Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre held at Oboro High School, Ikwuano LGA, disclosed that he had earlier promised during the electioneering campaigns to do all within his ability to support his people in their quest for knowledge and academic upliftment.
This, he explained, informed his decision to sponsor 113 of them for the three-year course that will lead them to obtain an NCE after graduation from the institute.
The senator who is the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs used the forum to announce that registration has commenced for his scholarship programme for regular students in tertiary institutions.
Similarly, the senator also announced his readiness to launch his entrepreneurship technological training scheme very soon, pointing out that the programme is aimed at equipping its participants with the essential business skills and knowledge required to thrive in the rapidly evolving technological industry.
In his speech, the National Director and Chief Executive Officer of NTI, Prof Musa Garba Maitafsir represented by the Abia State Coordinator of NTI, Mrs. Benita Oviosun, disclosed that institute will soon become a Degree awarding institute, saying that a Bill to that effect has passed its seconding reading in the House Representatives.
The Centre Manager of the study centre, Rev. Uche Emenike said NTI has gone far in transforming its educational activities from traditional to modern method, analogue to modern, and better to best way of offering academic service to students.
In their remarks, the member representing Ikwuano State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Boniface Isienyi represented by Pastor Monday Ironcho, described education as pivotal to development.
In his own comment, the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Comrade Osinachi Nwaka represented by the Secretary of Ikwuano Local Government Council, Engr. Wilson Onwubuali, thanked the senator for embarking on enormous building of not only Ikwuano people, but Abia Central in general.
The facilitator of the Oboro Ikwuano Study Centre, Hon. Phillip Iroegbulam thanked Akobundu for assisting some people of the senatorial district to acquire higher education and described teaching as a godly and noble profession.
He expressed hope that with the take-off of the NTI Study Centre in Ikwuano LGA, more good things will come to the LGA.
Later, while addressing the 113 students, Senator Akobundu urged them to contribute in impacting the upcoming generation in Ikwuano and beyond upon their graduation.
While congratulating the matriculants for their resolve to acquire more education and also improve themselves the more, the senator tasked them to celebrate their matriculation with pride and renewed commitment to the journey ahead, assuring them that he would not only pay their school fees, but will always stand by them throughout the duration of their course.
The Methodist Bishop of Ndoro Diocese, Rt. Rev. Udo U. Nmeregini represented by the Diocesan Assistant Synod Secretary, Very Rev. Jonathan Okoroafor and other dignitaries attended inauguration/matriculation ceremony.
Highpoints of the event was a formal handover of the centre to the people of Ikwuano as well as administering of matriculation oath on the matriculants by the centre’s HOD of NCE programme, Mrs. Victoria Ebillah.
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