Reps Member Takes Scholarship Scheme to Federal Cooperative College, Oji River
By Raymond Ozoji
The House of Representatives member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Paschal Arinzechukwu Agbodike, has extended his scholarship scheme to the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, where about 500 students of Ihiala origin are expected to benefit immensely.
Agbodike, who recently visited the school, described the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, as very serene and conducive for learning.
He declared that the institution possesses the necessary resources to train and empower Nigerian youths with essential economic and entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to become future wealth creators and employers.
Explaining the scholarship program, Agbodike said it will cover tuition and hostel fees.
He emphasized that the primary aim of the education support program is to assist indigent boys and girls from Ihiala whose parents cannot afford tertiary education.
He also stated that another goal of his scholarship schemes is to use education as a veritable platform to help youths change negative mindsets and poor orientations, particularly regarding the “quick money syndrome” linked to criminality.
In addition to the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, the lawmaker revealed that he has another scholarship program targeting 1,000 persons of Ihiala origin across Nigeria, covering education from primary to tertiary levels for the 2025 academic session only. A sum of N250 million has been allocated for this initiative in the 2025 budget appropriations.
Agbodike, who is also a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, assured the college management that the institution will continue to receive federal government support to help realize its vision and mission of producing graduates who will contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.
Responding, the Provost and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Dr. Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu, said the House of Representatives member’s visit was to engage with the college concerning manpower development in his constituency.
He noted that Agbodike is very passionate about human capital investment and development for the people he represents at the National Assembly.
Obidiegwu stated that the Reps member toured the college facilities and had a collaborative engagement with the college management.
Part of their discussion focused on how the lawmaker could send some indigenes of Ihiala Federal Constituency to the college.
The Provost noted that Agbodike was highly motivated by the gesture because he believes every Nigerian child should have access to quality education and that the nation’s education system should be subsidized so that the average Nigerian family can afford higher education training.
Obidiegwu further explained that the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, is focused on technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills development. He added that graduates produced by the college are equipped to be independent and market-oriented, helping to reduce the burden of unemployment in Nigeria.
He highlighted that the lawmaker’s major motivation was the college’s affordable tuition and school fees, the serenity of the college environment, and the attitudes of both staff and students. To Agbodike, the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, is an ideal place for learning.
Finally, he said Agbodike promised to send some students to the school and assured him that any student sent under his watch, as Provost and CEO, would be safe. He invited the lawmaker to hold him accountable for the investments he is making in the college.