Capacity Building: Ikpeazu Sends 26 Students Abroad on Scholarship

Is Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State the undisputed champion of youth development and capacity building in the South East?

He appears to be the only Governor that is sending Igbo youths abroad on foreign scholarships.

Earlier in his administration, the Governor sent 30 youths to China to learn skills in automated shoe making and subsequently established Enyimba Automated Shoe Company (ENASCO) to enable them practice what they learned.

Just before Christmas Celebration last month, 8 out of 15 Abia youths recently given visas left for Australia to study courses such as Information/Communications Technology, Civil Engineering, Public Health etc, Masters in Environmental Science and Management, Masters in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in the following universities-

* Flinders University
* James Cook University
* University of New England,
* Torrens University

Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu reportedly paid their flight tickets from Owerri-Lagos, Lagos-Sydney and gave them USD300 each as PTA.

A prayer session was also conducted by the governor’s spiritual father before their departure and were advised to be of good conduct in their various universities while in Australia and be good representatives of Abia State.

Recall that early in 2020, Governor Ikpeazu traveled to Australia to sign agreements with some universities in Australia that will enable students of Abia origin study on scholarship as well as obtain work permit to support themselves.

Governor Ikpeazu had earlier last year also sent other students to India to study Information Communications Technology (ICT), Law, Engineering among other courses.