By Roland Ike, Abakaliki
The Member representing Ikwo/ Ezza South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Chinedu Ogah has offset the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees of 507 students from the constituency and beyond.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker also offset the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) fees of 500 students bringing the total number of beneficiaries 1,007.
Ogah, who announced the gesture at the Ikwo High School, Agubia said that the cost of the WAEC fees is N13m while the cost of the JAMB fees is N3.8m, totalling N16.8m.
“I started this gesture before I became a legislator and we owe it as a duty to remember those who voted us into power.
“This gesture is a way of complementing the efforts of Governor Francis Nwifuru in revamping education in the state and stepping down the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu in the education sector, at the grassroots,”.
He warned principals of affected schools not collect any other form of fees from the government and students as he will also provide funds for miscellaneous expenses needed for the examinations.
“We will arrest and prosecute those who violate this instruction because we owe the present administration in the state, support to achieve its people’s charter of needs mandate on education.
“We decided to issue cheques to the examination bodies and not cash to the beneficiaries due to the way such funds had been misused in the past.”
He also gave N454, 800 and N254, 000 to benefiting public and private schools as funds to execute miscellaneous expenses towards the examinations.
The Branch Controller of WAEC in Ebonyi, Mrs Gloria Mgbike confirmed the receipt of N13m and lauded Ogah for the gesture.
“I urge the benefiting candidates to study hard and make Ogah, their parents and schools proud because it is not easy to benefit from such gesture in these hard times.
“This is a gesture worthy of emulation by all as the future of these students are being secured,”.
The State Controller of JAMB, Mrs Dorris Enoch said that parents are aware that with the cost of JAMB N7,700, multiplying it by 500 candidates will give over N3 8million.
“The State and society at large would develop more than they are presently if more people do this sort of thing.
“This is the kind of gathering I like to be present as I urge the students to reciprocate the gesture by studying hard and passing brilliantly,”
The Chairman of Ezza South LGA of the state, Mrs Euphemia Nwali thanked Ogah for the gesture and prayed God to elevate him higher in life.
“This is the sort of representation we want and not the sort that would focus on disturbing the people.”
Goodwill messages were delivered on the occasion by the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board among others
Master Kenneth Nwankwo, one of the beneficiaries thanked the lawmaker for the gesture and pledged to read and pass his examinations.
