By Amaechi Agbo

In fulfilment of his avowed pledge to make education a top priority during his time, a lawmaker representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, has offered WAEC scholarships to and also paid school fees over one hundred indigent but brilliant students in 23 public schools in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency of Enugu State. The School fees payment covers two terms.

The cheques were presented to the SS3 students in the presence of their respective principals at the Enugu State Post Primary School Management Board, PPSMB office. Hon Atu said the scholarship was just a pilot study to have a baseline for the main scholarships which will cover over 1000 students in July this year.

Speaking at the event, Honourable Atu, a product of public school, said the scholarship was a result of a burning desire to ensure that students are offered equal opportunities to excel in life irrespective of their family background.

“This scholarship came out of a burning desire to make sure that no child is denied the opportunity to have a better shot in life because of his or her background or circumstances. Chimaobi Sam Atu Foundation believes that all children, irrespective of family background, cred, or social orientation should be given the same opportunity to pursue a better future.  Unarguably, quality education is an equalizer. As the son of a dedicated primary school teacher, I am more convinced that quality education is the way out. This has been part of me long before I joined politics.

“The selected students who are here to receive this award are wonderful young men and women who hold our collective future. They are the most brilliant and courageous set of children I have met in my adult life,” he said.

While appreciating all who made the selection a success especially principals, PPSMB as well as Chimaobi Atu Foundation for their relentlessness, forthrightness and commitment, announced that the scholarship is a pilot scheme which will pave way for 1000 similar scheme in June.

“It is important to mention at this point that this exercise is not just about presenting cheques to successful students who secured the scholarship. As the Lord lives, Chimaobi Sam Atu Foundation will be giving massive SSCE, A- Level and tertiary education scholarships to over one thousand students in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency by June this year.  Therefore, what we are doing now is just a pilot phase to test the waters.”

In his address, the Chairman, Chimaobi Sam Atu Foundation, Dr Chidiebere Ezinwa explained the selection processes and lamented the deplorable state of public schools in the areas visited.

“As a board we were mandated among other things to develop policy documents that would ensure that the scholarships are awarded to deserving students in Enugu North and South Federal constituency.

“When we swung into action, it became clear that Hon. Atu is a man with a great vision and foresight. What we saw clearly demonstrated his deep knowledge and understanding of the plight and needs of his people. What we saw in some of our schools beat our imagination. We saw poverty and lack walking in our villages and cities. Few days to the end of WAEC registration some schools recorded zero WAEC registration.

“Some candidates who are eminently qualified for scholarship pleaded that the scholarship should be given to their colleagues who they considered to be in greater and thus more deserving of the scholarship.”

He thanked the financier, Honourable Atu, board members of the foundation, the principals for their resilience and commitment and assured that a greater inroad towards enhancing the constituent’s educational attainment is guaranteed stressing that “the scholarship is a tool for fighting crime and poverty.”

On their parts, the principals of the benefiting schools thanked Hon Atu for his gesture and prayed God to sustain him as he continues to impact positively on the lives of indigent students, particularly.

Some of the benefiting schools include: Day Secondary School, Independence Layout, Enugu; Model High School, Amechi; CSS Iva Valley; CSS Ndiagu, Girls High School, Uwani; New Layout Secondary School, Enugu and
Maryland Secondary School, Enugu

Others are: City Girls Secondary School, Enugu;
Army Day Secondary School, Enugu; CSS Obeagu, Awkunanaw; Anglican Girls Grammar School; Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw; among others.