From Sylvester Egede
Over thirty indigent students in various high institutions of learning have benefited from the maiden edition of the scholarship scheme of Hon. Goodluck Obinna Mbam who is the member representing Izzi East State Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy and EBSIEC Matters in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
The event which started with opening prayers said by Catholic priest Rev Father Cyriel Ukpa had more than thirty beneficiaries in the progmme receiving hundred thousand naira each and other educational materials to enhance their learning process.
Addressing stakeholders and beneficiaries of the scholarship, the facilitator and donor of the award, Hon Goodluck Obinna Mbam said his major aim of the award was to support brilliant but indigent students to achieve academic excellence and build a brighter tomorrow.
Hon Mbam maintained that investments in education sector outlives a generation adding that he has decided to continue with the program as long as possible but however cautioned the beneficiaries against slack in educational pursuits as this may lead into thier disqualification and withdrawal.
He thanked God Almighty for the Grace and also commended the State Governor Rt Hon Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru whom he said he emulated having had his own scholarship Programmes right from when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly and still continuing as Governnor of Ebonyi State where he runs both local, National and overseas scholarship.
Hon Obinna Mbam equally thanked the scholarship committee led by Hon kizitor Nwenyi for the selection of indigent and brilliant students as beneficiaries of the awards adding that thier diligence and commitment towards the program was a real boost to the foundation.
In his opening remarks , the chairman of the occasion, Hon Dostan Nwogbaga SSA to the State Governor on shopping mall said that the scholarship award has provided the students an opportunity to grow higher in thier educational pursuit and a big relief to the parents in the payment of the school fees and commended Hon Obinna Mbam for the laudable gesture most importantly at this tough time and therefore advised the students to justify the gesture.
On their part, the State Commissioner for youths and sports, Hon Richard Idike, the Chairman Izzi Local Government Area Hon Barr Stephen Nwankpa, Commissioner National Population Commission incharge of Ebonyi State Hon Jeremiah Nwankwegu, Coordinator Izzi Development Center Hon Pascal Chukwudi Obiya, Member Ebonyi State University Governing Council Hon Peter Iteshi and Chairman APC Izzi Local Government Area Hon Odilichukwu Okeye said that the lawmaker has done well to partner with the educational progmme of the state government and described him as a human being developer whose works within the state shall be remembered for a long time.
In his speech, the chairman of the scholarship scheme, Hon Kizitor Nwenyi commended the scholarship awards Committee members for passing through the all hurdles of the beneficiaries selection through wild consultations to bring brilliant indigent students to utilize the funds.
He lauded the sponsor of the programme and described him as a provider who has come to lessen the pains of the parents in educating thier children.
Important dignitaries who spoke at the occasion include member representing Abakaliki North in the State House of Assembly Hon Victor Nwoke, Secretary Public Complaint Commission Hon Chief Aloysius Nwibo, SSA to Governor on Agriculture Hon Anthony Nwegede, Former State Attorney General Barr Nduka Nwokpor , permanent secretary ministry of works Mr Monday Nkwede, Secretary Izzi Local Government Hon Mrs Ngozi Nwokoro and APC State working Committee member Hon Adum Uchenna Basil all praised the golden steps of Hon Obinna Mbam and said that the programme was based on merit and that it will go along way in advancing the educational pursuit of the beneficiaries
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Ikweagwa Onyedikachi of AE–FUNAI, and Miss Stella Nwankwegu of Ebonyi State University said that the beneficiaries will make the best use of the opportunity and thanked the facilitator for the largesse and prayed God for more guidance.
The lawmaker equally donated one million Naira cash to the stakeholders of Izzi East Constituency.