By CHARLES IWUOHA

Governor of Ebonyi State, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, has flagged off disbursement of over 40m Scholarship fund of Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi.

Nwebonyi represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District at the upper chambers and currently, Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate.

Governor Nwifuru who was the Special Guest of Honour to the Grand Civic Reception organized in honour of Senator Nwebonyi by the entire people of Mbeke Ishieke Autonomous community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state.

The disbursement programme which took place at Mbeke lshieke Primary School.

While handing over cheques to some of the beneficiaries, Nwifuru appreciated Senator Nwebonyi for his quality representation and unmatchable humanitarian services.

The Governor who was extremely excited, acknowledged Senator Nwebonyi’s uncommon generosity and capacity as a young leader. The governor enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the money, as well reciprocate the same gesture to others when they have it in life.

The Governor thanked the people of Mbeke Ishieke Autonomous community for the practical expression of love and solidarity.

“I’m very much excited with the display of solidarity by the people of Mbeke Ishieke and the capacity shown by Senator Nwebonyi. As young leaders, so many people thought that we would fail, but today it’s a celebration galore.

“Senator Nwebonyi is not a jealous type because he is highly educated and intelligent. He is not afraid of building young people unlike many other leaders, who feel that those they trained may rise against them. He knows the value of education, hence, this scholarship program.

“Therefore, the beneficiaries must as well show gratitude by training others when they succeed. You must endeavour to excel in your studies so as to justify this huge investment made by Distinguished Senator Nwebonyi.”

Earlier in his Speech, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi expressed huge gratitude with the presence of the Governor and other notable personalities in the event, as well thanked the Community for honouring him.

“I am very much delighted to be honoured with the physical presence of my amiable Governor. I want to assure you, Your Excellency that the people of Mbeke Ishieke Autonomous Community are solidly behind you.

“It is on record that they gave you the highest votes during the last election and I want to assure you that in 2027, they will triple their votes for you because there is no vacancy and your second tenure is not negotiable.

“This is because you have surpassed our expectations in all indices of governance including infrastructural and human capital developments.

“Let me most humbly request your Excellency to kindly flag off my Scholarship Scheme to the tune of N40million for the indigent students. Thus, I will be disbursing N150,000 per session for the Medical and Law Students, N100,000 for the Engineering Students and others and N200,000 for the Ph.D students until their graduation. In addition to this Your Excellency, when I read in the social media about some Medical of AE-FUNAI who are already in their Clinical stage but about to drop out of school due to their inability to clear their backlog of school fees, I decided to clear the accumulated school fees of over N6.7million even though, they are not from Ebonyi State.”

Some of the beneficiaries of Senator Nwebonyi’s Scholarship Scheme including Mrs Rita Mgbabor-PhD Student, Kelvin Nwagu-Representing the Clinical Students from Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo and Ifeanyi Nwangbo-Law Student EBSU appreciated their benefactor, Senator Nwebonyi for the huge assistance and assured that they will not disappoint him academically.

Presenting his Speech on behalf of the community, The President of Mbeke Ishieke Development Union, Prince Moses Ogbaga, chronicled the achievements of Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi to include, building of over 80 bungalows for the indigent people, granting of Scholarship to over 400 students across tertiary institutions, provision of financial grants to business men and women, distribution of numerous cars and motorcycles, training of youths on Modern Agricultural practices and early supply distribution of farm inputs to the farmers, attracting distribution of trucks of food palliatives to alleviate hunger in the zone, attracted for construction the 76.6 Ebonyi-Benue Link road and other internal roads , launching of the community to the global hall and other humanitarian services and achievements too numerous to mention. He maintained that essence of the occasion was to give Senator Nwebonyi the deserved honour and appreciate him remaining “a true son of the soil”.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State and Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, represented by the Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Mr.Cletus Ofoke; all the National Assembly members from Ebonyi State; the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa; and other government functionaries.

Others include State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman and State Working Committee Members, chairmen of local government areas, traditional rulers from Ebonyi North Zone, and captains of industry, among others.

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