Ihiala Local Government Area has approved the award of scholarships to two hundred indigenes of the council area for part-time degree programmes at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam campus.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the scholarship initiative, spearheaded by the Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Area, Engr. Anayo Orjiakor, was unveiled during a visit to the office of the Vice Chancellor of the university in Igbariam, Professor Kate Omenugha, and attracted top officials of the local government council.
Speaking at the visit, the Mayor explained that the initiative was conceived to cushion the effects of insecurity, which had negatively affected many families and disrupted livelihoods, making it difficult for parents to sponsor their children’s education.
According to Orjiakor, the improved security in the area and the increased government presence at the Uli Campus since the assumption of office by the current Vice Chancellor of the university encouraged the council to take the bold step, while adding that the council had earlier demonstrated its commitment to education by sponsoring over one hundred students for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations last year.
The Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Kate Omenugha, in her response, expressed delight at the initiative, describing it as innovative and people-oriented.
The VC adding that many qualified individuals were unable to access higher education due to financial constraints, and that Ihiala had consistently shown strong academic potential and excellence in education.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Ihiala Education Initiative, Dr. Udoka Alajekwu, explained that the programme, tagged the Ihiala 200 Part-Time Initiative, is designed to enable beneficiaries to obtain degree certificates in both science and arts disciplines and described the programme as a human-centered initiative aimed at producing productive graduates who would contribute meaningfully to human development in Ihiala.
