By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Victor Ogene, has awarded scholarships to 40 undergraduates from his constituency as part of efforts to promote access to quality education.
Ogene announced the award during a lecture held at St. Lwanga Catholic Parish, Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. He stressed the need to equip young people with critical thinking skills, relevant knowledge, and strong values to prepare them for future opportunities.
He expressed concern over what he described as the decline in educational attainment within the constituency. According to him, several job opportunities requiring high qualifications could not be filled due to a shortage of suitably qualified candidates.
“Last year, we had the opportunity to fill some Federal Government health positions,” Ogene said. “Despite extensive publicity across Ogbaru, we were able to find only one qualified nurse, who was immediately employed by a teaching hospital. We did not get a single medical doctor.”
He explained that the scholarship scheme is aimed at bridging that gap and ensuring that young people are better positioned to take advantage of future employment opportunities.
The immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor, described education as a powerful tool for unlocking a child’s future. He noted that effective education goes beyond classroom instruction and must include the development of critical thinking skills and sound values.
Other speakers at the event, including Rev. Fr. Joshua Obiekezie, Principal of St. Lwanga Catholic Secondary School; Dr. Fidel Oduah of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko; and Mrs. Ify Oduah of the Society of Women Engineers, commended the lawmaker for investing in the educational advancement of youths in the constituency.
Coordinator of the programme, Dr. Frank Oduah, disclosed that in addition to the 40 new beneficiaries, 30 students had earlier received scholarships under the first phase of the initiative. He added that 70 undergraduates are currently benefiting from the scheme.
He further revealed that Ogene sponsored the JAMB registration fees of over 200 candidates and facilitated university admission for 187 students during the 2025/2026 academic session.