Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has awarded 64 million naira in scholarships to 326 Indigent students from Anambra State, empowering them to pursue their academic dreams.
The scholarships were presented on Tuesday at Canaan (CWO) House in Awka, the state capital, during the 2026 Education and Youth Empowerment Programme of the Victor Umeh Education Foundation (VUMEF).
The beneficiaries include undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in various universities across the country for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Personal vow
Addressing the gathering, Senator Umeh explained that the scholarship initiative was born out of a personal vow he made in 1999, before entering partisan politics, to support young people who desire education but lack the financial means.
The programme was later formalised in 2007 with the establishment of the Victor Umeh Education Foundation.
He said education remains the cornerstone of sustainable development and described the scholarship scheme as his core constituency project and long-term investment in youth empowerment.
According to him, the initiative is non-discriminatory and open to students regardless of religious affiliation or background.
Over the years, Senator Umeh noted, the foundation has produced more than 1,000 graduates in diverse academic disciplines, adding that beneficiaries are carefully selected through recommendations by Presidents General of town unions and other recognised community stakeholders across Anambra Central Senatorial District.
He gave assurance that the foundation would continue to support the current beneficiaries until they complete their academic programmes.
The event attracted several prominent figures, including former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi; traditional rulers from the 52 communities in the senatorial district; community leaders; parents of the beneficiaries; and the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Empowerment, Dr Nelson Umenugha.
In his goodwill message, Mr Obi described the scholarship programme as “phenomenal,” noting that investment in education remains the most effective form of youth empowerment and a critical driver of national development.
The ceremony climaxed with the symbolic presentation of a ₦64 million cheque, as several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Senator Umeh, describing the support as life-changing and pledging to justify the opportunity through academic excellence.
Lateefah Ibrahim