Three indigenes of Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State have secured fully funded postgraduate scholarships valued at more than N220 million to study in the United Kingdom under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The scholarships were facilitated by the member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, with the beneficiaries scheduled to travel to the UK in September, subject to the completion of their visa processes.

The beneficiaries are Mmesoma Precious Ajih of Umueshi in Ideato South, who will pursue an MBA at Coventry University; Agozirim Sylvester Mbonu of Urualla in Ideato North, who will study LLM Environmental Law at the University of Dundee; and Obika Miriam Ifeoma of Akokwa in Ideato North, who will undertake a programme in Bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham.

The scholarship package covers tuition, accommodation, transportation and other approved educational expenses for the duration of their studies.

The beneficiaries have secured admission to their respective universities, while advance tuition payments have also been processed ahead of their visa interviews.

Ugochinyere, who chairs the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), said the intervention was secured through the Federal Government’s Presidential Amnesty Programme, which provides educational opportunities for qualified youths from oil-producing states.

He commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, for his commitment to human-capital development and efforts to expand educational opportunities for young people from oil-producing communities.

The lawmaker also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for sustaining and strengthening the programme, describing it as an important avenue for developing young Nigerian professionals.

Ugochinyere said the scholarships went beyond academic advancement, describing the beneficiaries as future assets to Ideato, Imo State and the country.

He said: “When you elect a young man with vision, commitment and the capacity to attract opportunities, things begin to happen differently.”

According to him, “Ideato is raising a new generation of leaders, and with purposeful leadership, our people will continue to occupy their rightful place at the centre of national development.”

He added: “We will continue to open doors for our people wherever opportunities exist.”

The lawmaker pledged to continue pursuing Federal Government scholarships, empowerment programmes and other interventions aimed at improving the welfare and prospects of his constituents.

The three beneficiaries are also expected to be hosted to a farewell luncheon by Ugochinyere before departing for the United Kingdom. (Guardian)