By Charles Nwoke
Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi has disbursed ₦50 million in scholarship funds to 225 students across Ebonyi North Senatorial District. Each recipient received ₦200,000 during a constituency empowerment programme held in Nkaliki, Abakaliki Local Government Area.
Nine clinical students from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (FUNAI), were among the beneficiaries. Senator Nwebonyi encouraged the students to prioritize their studies and use the funds to complete their education without delay.
“This support is to ensure that financial constraints do not stop you from achieving your academic goals. Take your education seriously, and make sure you come out with flying colours,” he said.
In a parallel initiative, more than 2,000 farmers from Ebonyi North received agricultural inputs, including fertilizers, rice seedlings, and herbicides, as part of the first phase of the Senator’s agricultural empowerment programme.
Nwebonyi called on farmers to adopt modern farming methods to improve productivity. He stressed the importance of agriculture in reviving the local economy as oil revenues continue to decline.
“This is a great opportunity for farmers to boost their productivity and secure better yields. We are committed to making agriculture a key part of our economy again,” he said.
The second phase of the programme, expected in June, will target an additional 5,000 farmers. Chief Mathias Adum, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, urged beneficiaries to use the materials wisely.
“We hope that these materials will help the farmers improve their yields. I encourage them not to sell these inputs but to use them effectively for their benefit,” Adum said.
However, the event sparked debate when Senator Nwebonyi addressed the conduct of some female politicians. While reaffirming his support for women’s participation in politics, he expressed concern over what he described as disrespect toward male colleagues.
“I am one of those championing the emancipation of women in politics, but that does not mean that the dignity of men should be undermined. Disrespectful behaviour, like telling a man to ‘shut up,’ is unacceptable,” he said.
He called for mutual respect in political engagement and suggested that women who display such behaviour should not hold leadership positions.
