...awards scholarships to over three hundred students
Moved by the hardships facing the poor communities within the Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, candidate for the house of representatives seat in the 2027 general elections, Hon. Terzungwe Agune, has decided to intervene by awarding scholarships to over three hundred students of Gboko and Tarka Local Government Areas of Benue State.
He said the scholarship is a gesture intended to reaffirm his commitment to supporting education and the vulnerable families.
The scholarship scheme, which has become a yearly gesture covers nursery, primary and secondary school pupils, comprising 200 from Gboko and 100 from Tarka.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held recently at Mbakor Community Secondary School, Wannune, Agune said he was moved to establish the scheme due to his personal experience as an orphan who had struggled to pay school fees and acquire good education.
He dismissed insinuations that the initiative was politically motivated, explaining that the scheme had been running for more than 20 years and would continue beyond the forthcoming elections.
Agune, who was represented by his Deputy Campaign Director and scholarship scheme coordinator, Hon. Terkula Ujo, urged beneficiaries to use the financial assistance for its intended purpose.
Ujo said the initiative was designed to ease the educational burden on parents and guardians, particularly those struggling to meet their children’s school expenses.
“We are not here for a political campaign but to give a little support to our children in school. Hon. Terzungwe Agune, PhD, has been doing this for the past 21 years,” he said.
He added that the scheme had been extended to Gboko for the first time, with beneficiaries selected from different council wards across the federal constituency.
Ujo further assured the audience that the initiative would expand if Agune was elected to the House of Representatives, while calling on residents of Gboko and Tarka to support his political ambition in 2027.
In their separate remarks, the SDP candidate for Tarka State Constituency, Hon. Terseer Ibua, and the party’s chairman in Tarka Local Government, Hon. Tardoo Agwaza, commended Agune for his generosity, commitment to community development and concern for the less privileged.
They expressed optimism that his election to the National Assembly would create further opportunities for the constituency and urged residents to support his aspiration.
Similarly, the Mbaikyaa kindred head and chairman of the Jemgbagh Kindred Heads Forum, Zaki Akpera Igbian, who spoke at the event for traditional rulers, said he was impressed by the decision to extend educational support to pupils at the primary and secondary school levels.
Describing Agune as a humble and straightforward person, Igbian said his activities within and outside Tarka had demonstrated a commitment to community development. He prayed for the success of the scholarship sponsor’s political ambition.
Speaking on behalf of the elders, Elder Moses Tarka also called for support for Agune, saying his development-oriented intentions deserved encouragement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Some beneficiaries, including Miss Aleva Sewuese and Terhemen Terfa, both Senior Secondary School One students at St. Stephen Secondary School and Mbakor Community Secondary School, respectively, expressed gratitude for the assistance.
They prayed for God’s blessings on their benefactor and appealed to parents and guardians to support his efforts.
Two teachers, Mrs Mercy Orshio of Mbanoughul Community Secondary School, Uchi; and Mr Atyem Gabriel of Asongu Tarka Royal Academy, Wannune, disclosed that their schools were called upon to identify indigent students for the scheme.
They described the initiative as a commendable gesture that would help disadvantaged pupils remain focused on their education. They also encouraged the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously while wishing Agune success in his political journey.
Two parents, Mr Sesugh Akufu and Mr Zahan Igbetar, from Ikyoyia and Mbaayo Council Wards, separately commended the scheme, saying the scholarship would provide relief to families struggling with rising educational costs.
“Times are very hard now; this support will help students pay their school fees,” he said, urging the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously.
The sum of five thousand naira was given to each of the beneficiaries.
