Member representing Umunneochi Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthias Ume (Nwachi), has announced the successful completion of the 2025 disbursement of his ₦50,000 annual bursary scheme for students from the constituency.
In a statement confirming the conclusion of the exercise, Hon. Ume expressed gratitude to God for enabling him to fulfill his commitment to supporting students through modest but impactful financial assistance aimed at easing academic pressures, and noted that the bursary scheme was conceived from personal experience and a deep understanding of the financial challenges many students face.
“My decision to commit to this scheme is not because I earn so much, but because I know from experience that every amount of money, no matter how small, means a lot to a student,” he said.
The lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, recalled his undergraduate years at Abia State University, where limited resources made daily survival difficult for many students.
He recounted how he and his peers often struggled to afford regular meals, adopting austere lifestyles as a coping mechanism. Despite the hardship and occasional ridicule, he said perseverance and mutual support helped some of them complete their education and later assume leadership and policymaking roles.
According to Hon. Ume, these experiences shaped his conviction that even relatively small financial support can make a significant difference in a student’s academic journey, and stressed that the bursary scheme was driven by a genuine love for education and a desire to give back, rather than by any electoral considerations.
Looking ahead, the legislator disclosed plans to expand the scheme in 2026, promising that the value of the bursary would be increased, and beneficiaries would be encouraged to nominate at least one additional student from their respective political wards, thereby extending the reach of the initiative.
He stressed that the initiative was not politically motivated, saying: “If my aim were votes, I could easily save this money and buy votes with even less. My primary aim is that I love doing this.”
Hon. Ume also used the opportunity to advise students to take their studies seriously while maintaining a healthy balance between academics and social engagement, and encouraged participation in positive social activities but firmly warned against cultism and other harmful practices.
He concluded by extending Christmas greetings and best wishes to students and residents of Umunneochi, reaffirming his commitment to serving the constituency and supporting educational advancement across the area.
