Mudiaga Affe, Calabar
The Senator representing the Cross River Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, John Owan-Enoh, has awarded scholarships valued at N70m to 700 university students and other beneficiaries, as part of his educational support programme.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the six local government areas in the senatorial district, namely Abi, Yakurr, Obubra, Etung, Ikom and Boki.
A breakdown of the categories in the 66 electoral wards showed that 60 postgraduate students got N100,000 each, while 660 undergraduates received N50,000 each.
Also, 1, 320 senior secondary school pupils received N15,000 each and 111 pupils in the junior category got N5,000 each, while more than 1,000 candidates seeking admission into higher institutions were given N6,000 each.
Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries in Ikom on Sunday, Owan-Enoh said that the gesture was aimed at assisting the beneficiaries in the pursuit of their academic careers.
He said that the programme was part of his responsibility and sacrifice to the people of the constituency, despite the economic recession.
Owan-Enoh said, “I am not doing this because I have so much money; but because of the love, sacrifice and a sense of responsibility to the people of my constituency.
“I am indebted to the people of the Central Senatorial District, who toiled with me and kept faith during the time of my campaigns.”
The senator said that each of the 66 wards had equal number of beneficiaries and advised the beneficiaries to make proper use of the opportunity.
Speaking on behalf of the local government areas, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, described Owan-Enoh as an excellent performer.
While commending the lawmaker for the gesture, she called on the beneficiaries to take advantage of the support to fulfil their dreams.
