The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and member representing Umuahia East State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini, has lauded the Executive Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, for allocating 15% of the entire 2024 Budget of N567.22b 2024 to education sector.
The number 2 lawmaker of the 8th Assembly stated this on Saturday during the Bursary Award of Ugolee People’s Foundation, held at Ohokobe, Ndume in Umuahia, said the action of Governor Otti shows that he is determined to transform education in line with his promise of a new Abia.
Rt. Hon. Meregini , noted that the move is to ensure that people are inspired to acquire good education and be useful members of the society, assuring that the Ugolee People’s Foundation will continue to provide scholarships, bursaries, skills acquisition, vocational training among others to his constituents that deserve dividends of democracy.
Rt. Hon.Meregini, revealed that because of the special place education occupies in a country like Nigeria, and the commitment of Governor Otti in this regard, The Ugolee People’s Foundation decided to give the bursary awards to over 200 students drawn from primary, secondary and tertiary levels who are members of his constituency.
He noted that this project has been going on since his earlier years because of the passion he has for his people and the love for education, he decided to set up the Ugolee People’s Foundation which is not a political platform, but poised to support families that cannot solely pay the tuition fees of their wards.
He disclosed that the Foundation is giving out the bursary to selected indigent families in his constituency which includes: 41 primary school pupils, 39 students of secondary schools and 122 students in the tertiary institutions.He therefore, appreciated everyone who have contributed to the success of the Foundation while also commending the Speaker of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa, his colleagues, members of the executive Council of the State government, assuring that the project will continue to progress.
Earlier, in his opening Remark the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ebere Ugwueje, said education is a process of making people responsible, transformed among other benefits it provides.
He appreciated Rt. Hon Meregini for transforming and reshaping his people having realized the crucial role education plays in transforming people, advising the beneficiaries to make adequate use of the gesture.
Dignitaries who attended the events includes the Chief of staff to the Governor, Mr Calab Ajagba, The commissioner for Education Prof. Uche Eme Uche, the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, Members of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Traditional Rulers of Ibeku land other Government Officials amongst others, while the highlight of the event is the presentation of Awards to the beneficiaries.
