Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has offered scholarship to Miss Confidence Chinaza Nwaozuzu, an Imo indigene who scored Distinction in all the nine subjects she entered for in the recently released 2021 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

Miss Nwaozuzu who hails from Amuzari in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, made 9As in both the science and arts subjects she wrote in her school, Total Education Development Academy, Aba in Abia State.

Receiving the girl accompanied by her mother and siblings on Thursday at the Government House, Owerri, Governor Uzodimma pledged, on behalf of Imo State government, to train Miss Nwaozuzu in any university of her choice.

“We will pick up the bills of her education to the extent she will desire to read in any university of her choice whether in Nigeria or abroad,” Governor Uzodimma said.

Governor Uzodimma said when he read about the feat by the girl and that she is from Imo State, he directed that she be fished out and invited so that government can encourage her and through that spur other youths in the state to take their studies seriously.

“The invitation to them is to identify with her successes and to set example for other students, both in secondary and tertiary institutions, to take their studies serious.”

He said he was excited over the lady’s performance, stressing that government was determined to ensure she continued with her educational pursuit.

The governor further directed the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, to follow up on Miss Nwaozuzu’s academic progress, pending when the Scholarship Board is inaugurated.

He emphasized that without education of Imo children, the state cannot make much progress, adding that “education of the young generation is the panacea to banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other societal vices mostly indulged in by the youths.”

Uzodimma challenged Imo youths to be ready to achieve the feat by Miss Nwaozuzu in any field of human endeavour to see whether he would not extend the same gesture to them.

“If any Imo child shows excellence, government will do the same,” the Governor assured.

He commended the efforts of the parents for directing their child aright and urged parents to take the upbringing of their wards seriously.

Presenting Miss Nwaozuzu to the Governor earlier, Emelumba disclosed how the Governor had directed him to fish out the girl and bring her for encouragement by the state government.

The Commissioner said that he discovered that Miss Nwaozuzu not only made 9As in SSCE but was also the overall Third best in the SSCE and would soon be honoured by the West African Examination Council for her feat.

Emelumba thanked the Governor for honouring Miss Nwaozuzu.

Responding, Miss Nwaozuzu appreciated Governor Uzodimma for the privilege of inviting her and for giving her a life-long empowerment, which is education.

She used the opportunity to advise her fellow youths to take their studies seriously. “They should strike a balance between their academics and social life,” she said.

Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, some members of the legislature and other top government officials were present at the occasion.

Miss Nwaozuzu’s mother, Mrs. Faith Nwaozuzu, led her siblings and other members of the family to the event.

•PHOTO: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in a warm handshake with Miss Chinaza Confidence Nwaozuzu, a native of Amauzari in Isiala Mbano, who made 9 A’s in her 2020 SSCE . . . during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the New Exco Chambers Government House, Owerri.

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