Group Awards 43 Scholarships, Urges Investment in Education to Tackle Bad Governance, Unemployment

A Non-Governmental organisation, One Youth Global, has called for urgent action to address Nigeria’s worsening education standards, unemployment, economic hardship and governance challenges, saying that leaders must prioritise policies that improve socio-economic conditions.

The President of the organisation, Uchechukwu Agbo, made the call during the grand finale of "Spark Nation 3.0," at the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. 

He described education as the most dependable foundation for economic growth, sound leadership and lasting social progress.

Agbo said no fewer than 192 schools from across Africa participated in the programme, while over 43 outstanding students were awarded full scholarships to study in universities of their choice within the continent. 

He explained that the scheme was designed to remove financial barriers that prevent talented young Africans from pursuing higher education.

“It is painful to watch a gifted child give up on education because of money. These scholarships are our way of saying that no dream should die because a family is poor,” Agbo said. 

He urged governments, private organisations and individuals to support education through scholarships, mentorship and better infrastructure.

The Director of Programmes and Boot Camp, Samson Amulu, explained that "Spark Nation 3.0" was designed to nurture young Africans into problem solvers by combining learning with practical leadership across education, economy, security and community development. 

Participants were grouped into five sectors to identify societal problems and propose solutions, with top performers in quiz and debate competitions rewarded with scholarships.

Agbo further stressed that productivity and national wealth begin in the classroom, and called for reforms to make African education more practical and creative so graduates can build, innovate and create jobs. 

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Chukwuemeka Prosper of Saint Nicholas Comprehensive Secondary School and Alum Kelyn of White Cloud School, Abakaliki, appealed to African leaders to invest more in education and youth development, noting that “when leaders invest in learning, they invest in the future of the whole continent.”