The Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, has described Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s scholarship programme as a strategic investment in human capital and long-term economic development, rather than a mere education initiative.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Oketa said scholarships should be viewed as one of the highest-yield public investments, noting that every beneficiary represents a future professional, entrepreneur, researcher, and problem solver who will contribute to the state’s growth.
According to him, the scholarship scheme removes major financial barriers that prevent many talented students from pursuing higher education. He explained that by covering educational expenses such as tuition, accommodation, and research costs, the programme enables beneficiaries to focus on acquiring knowledge and skills that will improve their earning capacity and transform the economic fortunes of their families.
Oketa noted that the initiative is expected to strengthen Ebonyi State’s intellectual capital by producing more lecturers, medical doctors, engineers, scientists, lawyers, entrepreneurs, technologists, and policy experts who will drive innovation and economic progress.
He further stated that a highly educated workforce makes the state more attractive to investors by providing the skilled manpower required for business expansion, research, and technological advancement.
The governor’s aide also highlighted the broader economic benefits of the scholarship programme, explaining that funds families would have spent on education can instead be invested in businesses, agriculture, housing, healthcare, and other productive ventures, thereby stimulating economic activities across the state.
Beyond its financial impact, Oketa said the policy would contribute to reducing unemployment and poverty, discourage crime, improve productivity, and strengthen public institutions through the development of a knowledgeable and self-reliant population.
He maintained that Governor Nwifuru’s scholarship programme should be seen as a comprehensive economic development strategy designed to build a competitive workforce and secure a more prosperous future for Ebonyi State.
“Roads and physical infrastructure may require reconstruction over time, but an educated mind continues to create value for decades. By investing in the education of Ebonyi people today, the administration is laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth and generational prosperity,” he said.
Oketa concluded that the true value of a scholarship lies not only in its financial returns but also in its lasting impact on individuals, families, and society, describing it as an investment whose dividends are measured in generations transformed.
