100 Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Graduates Receive ₦1 Million Each Under Abia Empowerment Scheme

One hundred distinction graduates of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba have received ₦1 million each under the Abia State Government's Graduate Empowerment Grant Scheme.

The beneficiaries are the second batch of exceptional graduates from the institution to benefit from the initiative since the appointment of the Rector, Christopher Okoro Kalu.

During the institution's convocation ceremony held on December 5, 2025, Abia State Governor Alex Chioma Otti announced that the entrepreneurship grant, introduced across tertiary institutions in the state, was designed to provide outstanding graduates with financial support to establish businesses, create jobs and contribute to Abia's economic growth.

According to the governor:

"Our aim is to ultimately create a system that empowers the young people in the State to be part of our development journey, supporting project execution in road infrastructure, housing, electricity, public water supply and more.

"The days of letting our best and brightest brains wander off after graduation and begin to struggle in far-off corners of the world without support are gone.

"The message to students in all our tertiary institutions is clear: do your best and we shall offer you further material leverage to find genuine success right here in Abia."

Before the disbursement of the grants, the institution, in collaboration with the Abia State Government, organised a one-day entrepreneurship and business start-up workshop under Governor Otti's Graduate Empowerment Grant Scheme at the institution's ICT Auditorium.

Addressing participants, Rector Christopher Okoro Kalu said the workshop was designed to prepare beneficiaries for the responsible utilisation of the grant through entrepreneurship and business development.

He encouraged the graduates to invest the funds in businesses capable of creating value and generating sustainable income.

The Rector also praised Governor Otti's leadership, describing him as "a Think, Talk and Do Governor" and an intentional leader.

The workshop was attended by the Abia State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Eme Uche Eme, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and other senior government officials.

As part of the training programme:

• Cletus Ekpo, Vice Chairman of the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre and Co-Founder of Jefapris Resources Nigeria, delivered a lecture on vocational skills and entrepreneurship.
• Vitalis Anopue spoke on the legal requirements for establishing a business, including registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Speaking at the event, Professor Eme advised the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the grant.

"It's not for hair or for pride; it's for innovation and the creation of things that will take you beyond here. If you do well after the next six months, the state government will support you the more," she said.

She also commended the Rector for raising the institution's profile and assured him of the ministry's continued support as Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic advances its relocation to the Osisioma Campus.

At the end of the workshop, the 100 beneficiaries received their ₦1 million grants, fulfilling the Abia State Government's commitment to providing outstanding graduates with start-up capital to launch their businesses.