By joshua OMALA LAWMAKER LAUNCHES ₦6M EDUCATION SUPPORT, OFFERS ₦1M SCHOLARSHIP TO TOP JAMB SCORER
The member representing Omala State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Yahaya, popularly known as ‘Connect’, has launched a ₦6 million educational empowerment programme for students in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The scheme provides a ₦1 million scholarship for the highest scorer from Omala in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and ₦50,000 each for 100 students drawn from public and private schools across the area.
It also includes the distribution of educational materials to schools across the 11 wards of the local government.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abejukolo, Hon. Yahaya said the initiative was designed to ease the financial burden on students and parents, reward academic excellence and improve access to learning resources.
“Education remains the most powerful tool for lifting families and communities out of poverty. This programme is our modest contribution to ensure that no child in Omala is left behind because of lack of materials or financial support,” he said.
Under the programme, ₦5 million will be disbursed to 100 beneficiaries, while ₦1 million has been earmarked as a full scholarship for the top JAMB scorer from Omala in 2026.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, who represented Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo at the event, commended the lawmaker for the intervention, describing it as a timely complement to the state government’s education agenda.
Jones said the distribution of notebooks, recommended Mathematics and English textbooks, school bags and other writing materials would help students focus on their studies and reduce pressure on parents.
He described the scholarship and cash support for outstanding students as a strong incentive for hard work and healthy academic competition.
He urged other political office holders and stakeholders to emulate the initiative and invest in programmes that expand educational opportunities for children.
The Commissioner used the occasion to highlight the Ododo administration’s investment in education, including free education in public schools, payment of external examination fees and allocation of 30 per cent of the state budget to the education sector.
He called on residents of Omala and Kogi East to continue to support government policies aimed at improving access to quality education and overall development.
As part of the visit, Hon. Yahaya led the Commissioner on an inspection tour of Government Secondary School, Abejukolo, to assess its infrastructure and learning environment.
During the inspection, Hon. Jones reaffirmed government’s commitment to revitalising schools and providing a more conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning, noting that improved facilities were critical to better academic outcomes.
He stressed the need for sustained collaboration between government officials and constituency representatives in identifying challenges facing schools and implementing practical solutions.
In his remarks, Hon. Yahaya thanked the Commissioner for honouring the invitation and for his commitment to strengthening the education sector. He also appreciated the Executive Chairman of Omala LGA, Hon. Mark Edibo Ameh, the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Atuluku Lavi, former Chairman of Omala LGA, Hon. Ibrahim Yakub Aboh, and former Nigerian Ambassador to Botswana, Hon. Isaac Onu.
Others acknowledged include the Chairman of Omala Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Chief Boniface Musa, as well as political leaders, party executives and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the event.
The programme is expected to provide immediate relief to beneficiaries, encourage academic excellence and extend learning support to schools across all 11 wards of Omala Local Government Area.