Excitement filled the air in Anambra State as Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, awarded educational scholarships to 326 needy undergraduates and postgraduates. The event also drew commendation from 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi, who applauded the senator's focus on investing in the future.
Leaders Praise Focus on Future Generations
Peter Obi, speaking after the launch of a Fidelity Bank beneficiary fund transfer app, highlighted how Senator Umeh's generosity stands apart from many contemporary leaders. Obi, who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), presented a specimen cheque from the bank to the beneficiaries under the Senator Victor Umeh Education Foundation.
He described education as a fundamental right and the primary tool for building a nation. Obi shared that education breaks down barriers, allowing individuals to achieve great heights, much as it did for him.
A Legacy of Empowerment, Not Politics
Addressing the beneficiaries, their parents, and guardians, Senator Umeh insisted that the scholarship scheme carries no political motive. He revealed that the initiative began about 27 years ago when ten individuals approached him for help with their children's school fees.
From that humble start, the program has grown significantly. Umeh recalled that his support has produced 2,320 graduates who have become medical doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers, and nurses. He credited Peter Obi as his inspiration, noting Obi's personal funding of educational infrastructure and staff welfare across the country.
The Senator, who also recently moved from the Labour Party to the ADC, explained that he now uses his constituency project allocations to fund the scholarships, seeing education as the ultimate youth empowerment and a path to liberating people from ignorance.
Transparent Selection and Growing Impact
Rev. Fr. Val Uzoezie, the Director-General of the Foundation, provided details through the Secretary-General, Sir Maurice Anetoh. He stated that a total of N37 million was disbursed in 2024, with the sum increased to N64 million for the current 326 beneficiaries.
The selection process was transparent. Beneficiaries were nominated from the 58 communities in Anambra Central Senatorial District, with two persons from each community. Clergy and other stakeholders made up the remaining numbers to reach the total of 326. Since its inception in 1999, the scheme has supported 2,320 graduates.
Fidelity Bank officials facilitated instant transfers at the venue, eliciting joyful alerts from the recipients. Among the beneficiaries was Mrs. Nnajide Nma, a first-class nursing graduate who named her son "Victor" in gratitude after receiving support while pregnant. Her mother, Mrs. Nnajidenma, described Umeh as God-sent and prayed for his long life to continue helping the less privileged.
Other awardees included Chioma Malachy Onwurah from Anambra South, graduate architect Nkiru from Umuokpu, and Nkechi Nwafor, a blind sociology student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. A stakeholder from Enugu, Anselem Chiamogu, praised Umeh's gesture as the action of a politician with a human face.
