The member representing Abua Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency, Hon. Mrs. Betty Okagua-Apiafi, on Sunday, in an uncommon feat paid the bursary of 100 undergraduates who were enrolled in various fields of study in Rivers State University, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, as well as Federal College of Education, Omoku.
The beneficiaries were either in their final year or had a year left to finish their various courses.
It is worthy to note that last year, she did the same thing for her constituents in Abua Odual, and at the time, promised to extend the goodwill to her constituents in Ahoada East, and known to be a woman of her words, she fulfilled the promise to the amazement of the recipients.
In their various remarks, the students echoed the fact that no representative had ever extended this benevolence to them and it is on record that no office holder had ever paid bursary to students, apart from the state government.
They thanked her in their various speeches, adding that they’ve been told by people, especially their mothers, how kind and thoughtful she has been, and that is why they keep voting her en mass to represent them, as they enjoy her selfless style of leadership, which always concentrates on the grassroots as well as those in dire need. They said they never knew it will get to their turn one day and that for a fact, all the good things they’ve heard about her is true as she did what she did for them without caring about political, social or family status of the various students. They called her the AMAZON OF RIVERS STATE, as she has set a new pace for other politicians to emulate and prayed for God to continually bless her.
In her response, she stressed on the need to pay special attention to education, stating that she is very passionate about education, and positively engaging the youths as she understands what parents are going through in these challenging times.
She urged the students to be productive and be useful to the society, paying special attention to their academic pursuits. She further promised to look into the plights of undergraduates in other schools she is yet to pay, for both Abua Odual and Ahoada East, promising to make sure more deserving students benefit from her scholarship scheme.
After speaking with them, she obliged all their selfie requests to the amazement of the students who never knew she was very down to earth, praying all political office holders will be just as relatable as she is.
Among dignitaries present at the event were Dr. Akpila Scott, SA to the Governor of Rivers State on Project Monitoring and Implementation, Hon. Ilamu Arugu, SA to the Governor on Traffic Matters, Dr. Okagua Kenneth Eghuan, member Rivers State Hospital Management Board, Hon. Oladipo Ogu, CTC Chairman of Abua Odual, as well as Hon. Oye Igenewari and Hon. Opela Daniel who are both distinguished former CTC chairmen of Abua Odual LGA.
