By Sunny A. David, Awka
There was an emotional atmosphere filled with tears of joy as Mr. Ikechukwu Igwenagu of Umuokpu, Awka South Local Government Area, accompanied his daughter, Ms. Nkiruka Igwenagu, on a heartfelt visit to Senator Victor Umeh to express profound gratitude for transforming her life through education.
Radiating confidence and pride, Nkiruka now a graduate of Architecture from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) visited the Senator under the banner of the Victor Umeh Education Foundation (VUMEF).
She formally presented her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, a milestone made possible by the senator’s unwavering support throughout her academic journey.
Sharing her emotional story, Nkiruka recalled how her life took a dramatic turn in 2015 during one of Senator Umeh’s visits to Awka, where beneficiaries were selected for a scholarship through a ballot system.
“I picked a ‘NO,’ and my world fell apart,” she recounted. “I broke down in tears because I was on the verge of losing my admission to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. My parents were already struggling to sponsor three of my siblings in different universities.”
Her emotional breakdown caught the attention of Senator Umeh, who inquired about her distress. After listening to her story, he was deeply moved and pledged to sponsor her education up to the Master’s level a promise he faithfully fulfilled.
The scholarship enabled her to complete her studies at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. Impressed by her academic excellence, Senator Umeh further extended the sponsorship to cover her Bachelor’s degree at UNEC, where she successfully graduated in Architecture.
Following her graduation, the senator encouraged her to proceed immediately to postgraduate studies. However, due to her NYSC call up schedule, Nkiruka chose to complete her national service first, returning afterward to present her discharge certificate and formally appreciate her benefactor.
The visit was crowned with a symbolic parade of honour as Nkiruka appeared in her full NYSC uniform, drawing admiration and applause from those present.
Special prayers were offered for Senator Victor Umeh and his wife, Lady Prisca Umeh, in recognition of what many described as rare compassion and a deep commitment to human capital development.
Reports indicate that over 300 students have successfully graduated through Senator Umeh’s scholarship programme at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, while more than 324 students are currently benefiting from the initiative across tertiary institutions nationwide.
From a ballot marked “NO” to a life-changing “YES,” Nkiruka’s journey stands as a powerful testament to how kindness and opportunity can reshape destinies.