BY MOSES C.C. ABEL
08130047900
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Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency under Labour Party at the House of Representatives since 2023, has implemented several educational initiatives aimed at supporting indigent but academically gifted students. These programs, primarily executed through the Chimaobi Sam Atu Foundation (C-SAF), have significantly impacted his constituency, where I also reside and conduct most of my business. His initiatives promote access to quality education and foster academic excellence, setting a new standard for educational support within Enugu State.
- SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
a. SSCE Scholarships
In February 2024, Hon. Atu awarded scholarships covering WAEC and school fees to over 106 underprivileged but brilliant SS3 students from 24 public secondary schools in his constituency. This was the first mass scholarship in Enugu State provided by a first-time legislator after the 2023 general elections. By taking this bold step, he set an example for other politicians in Enugu State, demonstrating that supporting a child’s education is equivalent to supporting the future of the nation.
Hon. Atu made it clear that no willing and capable student in Enugu North and Enugu South Federal Constituency would be denied an education due to financial difficulties. His scholarship initiative is inclusive, providing support regardless of political affiliation, family background, or personal connections. This approach has set a high standard for other leaders in Enugu State and beyond to follow.
This intervention specifically targeted students who could not register for WAEC due to financial constraints, ensuring they had the opportunity to complete their secondary education. Many of these students were orphans who had lost both parents, and some faced significant challenges due to unsupportive guardians.
b. Expansion of the Scholarship Scheme in 2025
Recognizing the need for broader support, Hon. Atu inaugurated a Scholarship Board headed by Dr. Chidi Ezinwa (HOD of Mass Communication Dept. ESUT) to oversee the selection of 1,200 SS2 students for scholarships. These students went through a competitive examination, and the 245 top performers received full coverage for WAEC and school fees. Additionally, the top students in JAMB will receive full tertiary education scholarships, ensuring continuity in their academic pursuits.
c. 2025 Full University Scholarship Individual Scholarships
Hon. Atu’s dedication to education transcends group initiatives; he also offers individual scholarships to deserving students, irrespective of their state of origin. A key distinction of Hon. Atu’s approach is his transparency.
The first example is the case of Nnam Chinenye Perpetual, a beneficiary of his scholarship program. During an interview with ESUT Monitor, she confirmed that Hon. Atu paid her school fees, development levy, and acceptance fees in full. His comprehensive approach ensures that students do not face financial difficulties midway through their education. To verify his claims, one can visit Urban Girls’ Secondary School, Ogui New Layout, to check the WAEC students’ records for 2024, or visit ESUT’s Pharmacy Department to confirm the last admission list. Hon. Atu’s transparency makes independent verification of his impact straightforward.
He also awarded a scholarship to Elizabeth Christopher to study Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and to Mohammed Idris to study History and International Relations at ESUT. The three and many others are currently in their first year. This makes it easy to verify.
d. Unity Schools Scholarships in 2024 and 2025
Hon. Atu has also focused on increasing access to federal unity schools by providing scholarships to outstanding primary six pupils. This initiative aims to restore confidence in public education and encourage academic excellence among younger students. By targeting primary education, he is ensuring that the foundation of learning is strong, ultimately fostering a more educated and competitive generation.
2. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION
a. Construction of Classrooms at Coal Camp Primary School
In response to the community’s plea, Hon. Atu facilitated the construction of a block of six classrooms at Coal Camp Primary School, Ogbete Enugu. Originally built by colonialists in 1924, the school’s infrastructure had severely deteriorated over the century. Hon. Atu demolished the dilapidated building and, through collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), oversaw its reconstruction. The new classrooms were commissioned on February 14, 2025.
b. Renovation of Chemistry Laboratory at ESUT
Hon. Atu renovated the Chemistry Laboratory at the Department of Industrial Chemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), where he graduated. This upgrade provides students with improved facilities for practical learning, enhancing the quality of education in the sciences, one of my students in the department confirmed this also.
3 . YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Understanding the importance of self-reliance and practical skills, Hon. Atu organized a five-day training and empowerment program in May 2024, focusing on the production and marketing of chemical products. A student named Ugochi, who will be writing JAMB this year, and Cynthia, a student of Tansian University, Umunya, among others, were beneficiaries. In fact, when I visited Anambra, upon my return, she gave me 5 kg of liquid soap as a gift because she learned about the program through me. I had to support her because that is what she is using to sustain herself in school, as are others.
This initiative targeted SS3 students and recent school leavers within the Enugu North and South Federal Constituency during the year 2024. The training took place at the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB) Main Hall, Enugu. The program aimed to equip young individuals with skills to become self-reliant, reducing unemployment and fostering entrepreneurship.
The closing ceremony saw participants receiving meaningful startup materials and capital to begin their entrepreneurial journey. Hon. Atu emphasized the strong correlation between lack of skills and crime, highlighting the necessity of equipping young people with vocational skills to build a crime-free and economically stable society.
In October 2024, Hon Atu and National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) also organized training and empowerment programme for fresh school leavers and young graduates on solar energy Installation and Marketing. Apart from the National certificate issued to the participant, they were empowered with tools and capital to run their own companies.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Hon. Atu’s educational interventions are more holistic compared to many lawmakers who focus solely on policy advocacy or infrastructural development only. His approach integrates financial support, skill acquisition, and infrastructural improvement, ensuring a long-term impact. Unlike some legislators who provide intermittent educational support, his commitment spans primary to tertiary education, reinforcing continuity in academic pursuits.
Furthermore, his initiatives bridge the gap between education and employment by empowering students with marketable skills. His scholarship programs do not discriminate based on political affiliations or ethnicity, fostering inclusivity and national unity.
CONCLUSION
Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu’s dedication to education reflects his deep commitment to human capital development. His direct, grassroots-oriented approach ensures immediate and tangible benefits for students and their families. By prioritizing long-term academic growth, skill acquisition, and infrastructural improvements, he has created a sustainable model that can be emulated by other lawmakers to drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s educational landscape.
MOSES C.C. ABEL INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL REFORMER AND EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE FROM ENUGU.
