There was excitement among the people of Oji River/Awgu/Aninri Federal Constituency, Enugu State, yesterday, as their lawmaker, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, settled the cost of application forms for 240 candidates seeking admission into the National Teachers Institute (NTI).
Honourable Onwuegbu also pledged payment of tuition fees for as many as would gain admission into the institute. Beyond that, he promised to enroll over 500 candidates for the May/June 2024 O Level, National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examination.
The gesture was made when the coordinator, Akpugoeze Study Centre (now Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu Study Centre), Dr. Ben Onwudinjo, led members of the constituents, staff of the centre and other stakeholders on a courtesy visit to the lawmaker at his Enugu residence.
The aim of the visit, among other issues, was to officially present the renamed Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu Study Centre to the lawmaker for endorsement. According to Onwudinjo, the centre was named after the lawmaker to reflect his zeal and commitment to his people.
The visit was also to solicit the lawmaker’s support towards the coverage of tuition fees, costs of logistics and materials for indigent citizens who are interested in improving their academic qualifications.
Onwudinjo and his team had also sought the lawmaker’s support for enrolment of prospective candidates for the May/June 2024 NABTEB examination.
In his reaction, Honourable Onwuegbu gladly endorsed the renaming of the Centre after him and instantly paid the cost of admission forms for 240 candidates seeking admission into the National Teachers Institute (NTI). He also promised to pay their tuition fees as well enroll about 500 candidates for the NABTEB examinations holding at the centre between May and June.
Onwudinjo informed that each Local Government Area was expected to nominate 100 candidates for the all-expense paid scholarship scheme to enable them improve their education by contacting the coordinator of the study centre.
“We will produce 1000 T-Shirts bearing Engr Anayo Onwuegbu Study Centre and 15 giant billboards to be spread across the three Local Government Areas to signal the liveliness of the school”, Onwudinjo said.
Onwudinjo added that at least, 60 candidates comprising widows, orphans, secondary school drop outs and other indigent persons registered to study Pre-NCE, NCE, Degree and PGDE at the Akpugoeze Study Centre through the distance learning mode effective January.
“We are here today to formally inform you and request that you kindly accept this renaming of the already approved study centre for your constituents. Your name that appears in their respective certificates from now henceforth shall bear permanent golden testimonies to your contributions to humanity.
“In the next three years, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu accredited study centre will begin to graduate 300 teachers annually, not only to meet the widening local needs but for exports to other parts of the state and beyond, thereby empowering our people, bringing development and reducing poverty in all its ramifications.
“As one of your key constituency projects, the Centre would be recorded in immortality in your favour as perhaps, the greatest sign post of your industry and love for service for your people and for the down-trodden.”
The centre coordinator also implored the lawmaker to chair the committee to raise the Education Trust Funds for the remaining 240 candidates to be selected by from across his three Local Government Areas for NTI and NABTEB O Level activities.
While seeking from the lawmaker, a convenient date for the official inauguration of the Centre, Onwudinjo assured that dignitaries from the state will grace the occasion.
He further commended the Enugu State Coordinator of the National Teachers Institute, NABTEB as well as officials of Enugu State Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders towards the success of the project.
