Lawmaker spends over N200m on educational intervention
By Amarachi Ehia, Abakaliki.
The federal lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal constituency of Ebonyi state at the House of Representative, Abuja,Hon. Chinedu Ogah weekend spend not less than N200 million in registering about 2,500 candidates from his constituency in West African Examination Council,(WAEC) National Examination Council (NECO) and Joint administration board(JAMB).
He also awarded scholarships to 300 vulnerable orphans, covered the WAEC fees for all inmates sitting the examination.
Ogah, who doubles as the House Chairman on Custodian Centres disclosed this at the weekend during the official flag-off ceremony for the distribution of farming inputs, scholarship awards, ceremonial payment of WAEC, NECO, and JAMB fees, and financial support for law school students at Blessed Martins College of Nursing Science, Ohatekwe Amagu, Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.
The lawmaker at the event distributed 5,000 bags of fertiliser and over 1,000 bags of rice seedlings to farmers in the constituency.
He however disclosed that the provision of farm inputs was part of his commitment to promoting quality education and food security for his constituents and the state.
Ogah at the event said, “We are distributing these inputs to the farmers in the constituency early this year so that they will have a bumper harvest,” he said.
He further breakdown the N200Million education-related intervention to be: ₦91 million for scholarships, ₦76 million for WAEC, ₦41 million for NECO, ₦5.6 million for JAMB, and ₦3.9 million for inmates sitting the WAEC examination.
Mr. Ogah who also reflected on the two years of President Tinubu’s administration, commended the federal government’s strides in improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians, stating that his efforts are aimed at mirroring that progress at the constituency level.
On her part, the wife of the state governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, lauded the lawmaker for his impact, describing him as a great philanthropist and a true servant of the people.
She said his gesture aligns with the People’s Charter of Needs under the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, adding that Ogah has been transforming lives and strengthening the constituency.
Mrs Nwifuru described farmers as the backbone of the state’s local economy, urging them to make good use of the improved farming inputs provided by Ogah to sustain their families, the state, and the nation.
“As the First Lady of the state and the founder of the Better Life for Rural Women and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), and more importantly as a mother, I am proud to see such a comprehensive empowerment initiative that touches the heart of development, such as food security, education, and youth advancement,” she said.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Stanley Emegha, described Ogah as a worthy ambassador of the people.
“We are here today to empower our farmers and students. You are representing us well. Thank you for making APC proud,” Emegha stated.
Other goodwill messages came from the former Senator representing Ebonyi Central, Dr Emmanuel Onwe; Chairman of Ikwo LGA, Mr Sunday Nwankwo; and a chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Okeagu Ogada, among others.
The event was attended by members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, community leaders, and APC party stakeholders.
