By Anayo Okoli

OVER 75 undergraduates of Abia State origin in tertiary institutions in the country have so far benefited from the scholarship scheme of Chief Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

The value of the scholarship scheme which he commenced  since 2011, ranges between N50,000 and N500,000 per beneficiary, depending on the duration of their programme.

Some of the beneficiaries were, weekend, issued cheques in Aba by the minister, who urged them to justify their selection by working hard to make good grades.

Wogu also disclosed that 850 persons had been selected to benefit from his empowerment programme which would be inaugurated soon.

Some PDP stakeholders, who witnessed the ceremony, commended Governor Theodore Orji for supporting the PDP and zoning the governor’s slot to the south zone which incidentally is Wogu’s zone.

They later began urging the Minister to contest the governorship of Abia State next year.

“We commend you for the exemplary way you have been piloting the affairs of the Labour and Productivity Ministry.

“We call on you to run for the Abia State gubernatorial race come 2015. This is in view of the fact that you are well qualified and that so far, there is yet no aspirant of our Aba North or Abia South LGA origin in the race. You are the most easily sellable candidate,” they said.

Wogu, in response, commended them for supporting President Jonathan’s love and positive disposition to the South East which the minister said the President had demonstrated by giving the zone key appointments and executing essential projects in the zone.

On the call for him to contest 2015 governorship election in the state, Wogu said: “I accept your clarion call to serve Abia State and I owe you an answer at the appropriate time which will be soon.