Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Some secondary school students participating in the quiz organised by Dr. Pat Asadu, the lawmaker representing Nsukka/Igboeze-South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, have commended the legislator for promoting scholarship and knowledge in the area.
The students gave the commendation in separate interviews with Daily Sun recently at Iheaka Girls School in Igboeze-South LGA, one of the venues of the competition.
Christian Odo, a student of Boys Secondary School, Ovoko, Collins Odo, from Community Secondary School, Uhunaowerre, and Mercy Okafor, from Iheaka Girls Secondary School, commended the lawmaker for initiating the competition.
They commended Asadu for his decision to also pay the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) fees for the best 1,000 students in the 41 secondary schools participating in the quiz. Odo told the reporter: “My prayer is that, as he decided to reduce the financial burden of our parents, God would also replenish his pocket.” Okafor added: “May God reward the lawmaker abundantly for his interest in our education.”
In a remark before the quiz started, Asadu who was represented by Mr Chineme Onyeke, a former member of the Nigeria Youth Parliament representing Enugu North, said the aim of the exercise was to encourage students to study hard. He explained that it was also the reason the lawmaker decided to pay the WASCE and NECO fees of the best 1000 students from the 41 participating secondary schools.
“The lawmaker knows the importance of education. That is why he doesn’t joke with anything that has to do with education. One thousand students that will emerge as winners will receive N20,000 each for their WASCE fees and N20,000 each for NECO fees. They will also be given money to buy the recommended textbooks. But that is not all. Other students that are participating will also be given gifts by Hon. Asadu for participating,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Emeka Onyia, who represented the Enugu State Post Primary Secondary School Board (PPSMB)
applauded the lawmaker for organising the competition and paying the WASCE and NECO fees for 1000 students that would emerge victorious in the exercise.
“I commend Asadu for his interest in education and urge him to keep it up,” he said. “Wealthy people in the country should help government to fund education, as government cannot do it alone. I also urge students to take the quiz seriously, as it will go a long way to reduce the financial burden of their parents.”
Earlier, Mr Ogbuja Ogbu, one of the coordinators of the Pat Asadu quiz competition, had noted that winners, participating students and schools would be rewarded accordingly at the grand finale.
The grand finale of the quiz took place last Saturday.
