By Mary Izuaka

 

The member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituencies, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has facilitated fully funded postgraduate scholarships worth over N220 million for three indigenes of the constituency to study in the United Kingdom (UK) under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The beneficiaries are expected to depart for the UK in September, after completing visa processes, Mr Ugochinyere said in a statement sent to ThePreview Media on Tuesday.

According to him, one of the scholars has already been issued a visa, while the remaining two will attend their visa interviews next week. He said the scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, transportation and other approved educational expenses throughout the beneficiaries’ studies.

The beneficiaries, according to the statement, are Agozirim Sylvester Mbonu from Urualla in Ideato North LGA, who will pursue an LLM in Environmental Law at the University of Dundee; Ajih Uche from Umueshi in Ideato South LGA, who will study for an MBA at Coventry University UK; and Obika Miriam Ifeoma from Akokwa, who will study Bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham.

Their university admissions have been secured, while advance tuition payments have been processed ahead of their visa interviews, Mr Ugochinyere said.

The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), said the intervention was secured under the Federal Government’s Presidential Amnesty Programme, which provides educational opportunities for qualified youths from oil-producing states.

He commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro, for what he described as his commitment to human-capital development and the expansion of educational opportunities for young people from oil-producing communities.

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He praised President Bola Tinubu and the federal government for sustaining and strengthening the programme, describing it as an important platform for developing the next generation of Nigerian professionals.

He noted that the scholarship represented more than an educational opportunity, describing the beneficiaries as future assets to Ideato, Imo State and Nigeria.

“When you elect a young man with vision, commitment and the capacity to attract opportunities, things begin to happen differently. Ideato is raising a new generation of leaders, and with purposeful leadership, our people will continue to occupy their rightful place at the centre of national development. We will continue to open doors for our people wherever opportunities exist,” he said.

The lawmaker further pledged to pursue more federal government scholarships, empowerment programmes, and other interventions to improve the lives of constituents.

The statement said the three beneficiaries are expected to be hosted to a farewell luncheon by Mr Ugochinyere before they depart for the United Kingdom.