Senate President Godswill Akpabio has pledged a personal donation of N100 million to support educational and empowerment initiatives in Enugu West Senatorial District, commending efforts to expand access to learning and youth development in the region.
Akpabio made the pledge on Friday in Enugu during a scholarship and bursary programme organised by the Senator representing Enugu West, Senator Osita Ngwu, who announced the disbursement of N250 million to about 5,000 students under the Enugu West Academy (EWA) initiative.
Speaking as the special guest of honour, Akpabio praised the scale of the programme, describing it as a strategic investment in human capital that could help reduce poverty and crime.
The Senate President said he had initially planned to attend the event briefly but changed his schedule after witnessing the magnitude of the initiative.
“I came here thinking I would leave within an hour for another function, but when I saw the scale of what is happening here, I told my pilot to stand down,” Akpabio said. “This is an uncommon project. While some people distribute items that suggest despair, Senator Osita Ngwu is distributing hope and encouraging children to go to school.”
Akpabio also highlighted his personal ties to Enugu State, describing himself as a “proud and passionate in-law” of the state.
He recalled that his late uncle, Dr. I.U. Akpabio, served as Minister of Education in the former Eastern Region and contributed to the establishment of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
“I am also an honorary scholar and PhD holder from the University of Nigeria. There is a hall named after my family there,” he added.
The Senate President further disclosed that he had supported several development projects in Enugu State, including road construction projects in Nsukka and surrounding communities, as well as the Delta Water Scheme scheduled for completion in 2025 to improve access to potable water.
In his remarks, Senator Ngwu said the scholarship programme—covering the 2024–2026 academic cycle—was designed to strengthen educational access and human capacity development in Enugu West.
He noted that investing in education remains the most effective way for leaders to empower communities and secure the future of young people.
According to him, the Enugu West Academy had earlier awarded N81 million in scholarships to 18 outstanding university students in 2024, adding that the initiative would continue to expand.
Ngwu congratulated the beneficiaries and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that “no child is left behind in Enugu West.”
