The Deputy Senate majority Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi has awarded scholarships to over 50 footballers drown from Ohaukwu, Izzi and Abakaliki local government areas, Ebonyi state to study in various federal Universities of their choice.
Nwaebonyi made this known while addressing a mammoth youths during the grand finale of the 2025 Ohamadike Super Cup, which saw Ohaukwu Local Government Area FC winner, and took place at the Pa Ngele Oruta township stadium, Abakaliki.
SpringNews reports that Ohaukwu LGA FC defeated Izzi LGA FC with 1–0 on penalties, after a pulsating final, while Abakaliki LGA FC secured the 3rd position in the keenly contested tournament.
At the end of the competition, Ohaukwu LGA FC went home with ₦5 million, Izzi LGA FC received ₦3 million, while Abakaliki LGA FC earned ₦2 million, bringing the total prize money for the 2025 edition to ₦10 million.
According to Nwaebonyi:”You have won yourself an automatic scholarship.So, you check yourselves, either you are already in university or you want to enter university.
“Either of the two. Any course you are studying in any university, Federal or State University in Nigeria, Of course, your fees will be paid 100% until you graduate.
“This is to encourage them. We are doing this to catch them young. If we can’t catch you to play to a national level, We can catch you to be a graduate. By doing so, we have changed the history of that family. And that is why we are here.” He said.
“I felt that it’s also an avenue to unite the youths and engage them positively within this festive period. And outside that, by the process of this tournament, we’ve also showcased talents that can be exported even beyond Nigeria.
“You can see the commissioner for sports, Mr. Richard Idike, was here live to represent the governor.And I’m sure he has seen some talents that he can harvest and even put in the state team in preparation for a national team and even exporting beyond Nigeria.
“And I must tell you, going by what I’ve seen today, I’m motivated to invest more in this sports competition.And by this year, we’re going to be donating a sum of 50 million Naira for this year’s edition of the tournaments.Because this is purely personal. It’s not government-funded” he stated.
Speaking on the numerous achievements as a senator, Nwaebonyi said: “Well, leadership is all about passion. Solving people’s problems. So if you’re in leadership, and that is not your passion, then you are there by mistake
“So my passion has always been to put smiles on the faces of people. And during the time I was under review as a senator, representing Ebonyi North constituency, I can boldly tell you that I’ve done my best in terms of attracting projects that are life-touching.”
“As I speak to you, I’ve completed 7.5 kilometers of concrete pavement within one budget cycle, 2023-2024.And as I’m talking to you, I have in stock over 10 kilometers of concrete road.
“What am I trying to prove?I’m trying to prove that a consensual project, that funds made for a consensual project can actually be properly utilized to achieve good results that will touch the lives of people.
“Gone are the days where a lawmaker would be said to be doing a road, only to see a surface-dressing project. Do you understand? That will fail within a year or two. I must tell you, the road leading to the Izziogo market was done, I’ve forgotten the name of the lawmaker who did it, but that road failed within two years.
“I said, no, if I’m doing a road, even if it is 100 meters, it must be a road that will last for over 50 years. And in all these roads I’ve done, they have over 50 years lifespan. Do you understand? In no time, I’m going to invite you for a joint inspection of these projects” he emphasized.