Joe Ojobo to award Scholarship to Ogbadibo Indigent Students

Ojobo, displaying his certificate of return

The member representing Ogbadibo State Constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Joe Ojobo has inaugurated a four-man scholarship committee to assist in scouting for worthy and qualified students from Ogbadibo local government area who shall make the list of the beneficiaries.

Hon. Ojobo disclosed this on Monday while reacting to questions from the press team of Ogbadibo origin who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the House of Assembly complex, Makurdi.

According to him, the committee is made up of “ebullient and patriotic youths” drawn from among the three districts of Otukpa, Orokam and Owukpa with Mr. Sunday Itodo as the Chairman, Comrade Godwin Ameh as the Secretary while Mrs. Stella Adejo Udeh and Mr. Solomon Akeh are to serve as members.

The honourable member further disclosed that the committee members were not drafted by him but the mandate was given to Ogbadibo Democratic Congress, a socio-political group with reputable standing in the local government.

“I did not want the whole issue to be politicized that was why I decided to consult the group called Ogbadibo Democratic Congress, a socio-political group with reputable standing in the local government. The committee was nominated by the group and all I had to do was to give approval”, the Owukpa born legislator said.

The Law maker explained further that the committee has the mandate of drawing out the modalities on how the beneficiaries could be scouted; scouting for beneficiaries among the various institutions of learning; presenting the successful indigent students to him for final approval; assisting him in disbursing the fund to the beneficiaries as well as maintaining a database for the beneficiaries for future use.

In his words, “the committee has been tasked to carry everyone along, especially, the orphans and the less privileged in both secondary and tertiary categories to avoid reactions from critics. They shall work within the time-frame of two months upon inauguration and submit their report for the first phase of the scholarship to Ogbadibo Democratic Congress which shall subject the report to scrutiny before forwarding same to me”.

When asked if the scholarship scheme was all he could do for the people of the constituency, the young politician said he had plans for the good people of Ogbadibo local government. According to him, he is carrying the people’s mandate and as such, must work hard to justify the confidence they had reposed on him.

Hon. Ojobo also went on to reel out some of the projects he had embarked upon in various locations of Ogbadibo which include but not limited to construction of classroom block in Orokam, construction of bridge across Okpudu river in Owukpa, among others.

Primary School block in Orokam

“The 6-classroom block with the Headmaster’s Office in Akor-Orokam is at the roofing stage and shall be completed very soon. I have also embarked upon a multi-million naira bridge construction across the Okpudu river in Itabono Owukpa, this bridge is capital intensive but with God on our side, we hope to finish it up before December. You can visit those places mentioned and verify by yourself.

“I have also set up a survey committee to mark out shops, stalls and other buildings that need our attention in Ukwo Otukpa. In no distance time we shall commence project there. We may possibly construct drainage in the same market as well.

“Needless to say that I have equally distributed over 100 motor bikes to the people of my constituency to enable those who want to take to riding commercial motorcycle to do so. All these were given out freely.

“Some times when I hear people criticizing me that I didn’t do anything with my two years gone, well, I can’t blame anybody because I am not the type that blows my trumpet, I don’t make noise about things that I do, I believe much in action than in words. Those few people who can visit the areas mentioned can testify”, Hon. Ojobo said.

Owukpa Bridge under construction

While reacting to the question by our reporter if he would run for a second term if the opportunity appears, Hon. Ojobo said all he needed from the people was to pray for his successful and accomplished tenure so that he would deliver on his electioneering promises. He added that it was too early to start discussing a second tenure when the first one has not elapsed.

On the ‘Otukpa state constituency’ case which is in the appeal court, the young Legislator debunked the claim that he was instrumental to the prolonged case at the court. “I was so surprised when I heard that I have been spending money to make sure that the ‘Otukpa constituency’ does not materialize. How could I be so callous to the extent of working against the community who stood under the rain to make sure I was elected”, he lambasted.

The honourable member said his wish was for the Ogbadibo state constituency to be splited into two so that he would have a companion from the area. According to him, two people can bring greater development to Ogbadibo Local Government area, compared to one person.