Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has disbursed about N100 million in scholarships to 930 indigent undergraduates and postgraduates under this year's edition of his foundation's scheme, urging beneficiaries to shun cultism and dedicate themselves to their studies.

Nwaebonyi explained that the gesture was designed to prevent indigent students from dropping out of school and to complement the efforts of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, who he said has extended foreign and local scholarships to over 1,000 graduates pursuing Master's and PhD programmes.

"I expect them to be serious with their studies because, as I said, in our own time, I didn't have this type of opportunity. I didn't benefit from anybody in form scholarship. But now, things have changed. People like us are out to support them to make sure that those indigent students didn't drop out of school," he stated.

He disclosed that the number of beneficiaries had increased from 500 to 830 students, with an additional list of over 100 names received during the event, bringing the total to 930.

"So, I expect the students in as much as I can carve out this money on my own with the support of my well wishers and supporters to utilise this opportunity and make sure they don't join cultism. They should read from the classroom to their reading desks, and that is what I did, and I am a lawyer, and that gave me the edge to be in the Senate," he added.

Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North senatorial zone, further urged beneficiaries to avoid using social media to castigate leaders, encouraging them instead to offer constructive support. He noted that his tenure has been defined by efforts to set standards across different sectors through quality representation.

Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Mary Maudline Nwifuru, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Felicia Nwamkpuma, described the scholarship scheme as an investment in the future of the beneficiaries and evidence of commitment to human capital development.

She added that the initiative complements the State Government's efforts in promoting quality education and youth empowerment, congratulating the beneficiaries and urging them to make the lawmaker, the state, and the nation proud through dedication to their studies and high standards of conduct.