By Jimitota Onoyume

His Royal Majesty Okporua I, Ovie of Udu Kingdom in Delta State, has urged youths to reject the growing slogan that “school is a scam,” stressing that education remains the pathway to sustainable development.

The monarch made the appeal at his palace in Udu Local Government Area while awarding scholarships to 84 students of Udu origin in tertiary and secondary schools. He explained that the funds for the initiative came largely from leftover donations from his coronation last year. “Education is not a scam. It is the foundation for growth and development. I encourage our youths to embrace it fully,” he said.

Beneficiaries included 25 students in tertiary institutions who each received ₦300,000, 29 senior secondary school students who got ₦100,000 each, and 30 junior secondary school students who received ₦50,000 each. The monarch assured that the scholarship scheme would be sustained annually, calling on prominent sons and daughters of the kingdom to support the initiative.

Parents and school authorities expressed gratitude for the gesture. Comrade Maccartney Obrotu, speaking on behalf of parents, thanked the monarch for his generosity, while Mr. Maxwell Uwekahwevwe, Principal of Oghior Secondary School, described the scholarships as a timely intervention.

In addition to the scholarships, the monarch donated drugs to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Udu. Represented at the hospital by the queen consort, who is a retired midwife, he urged the management to ensure the drugs are distributed responsibly. “We urge the medical team to use these drugs responsibly and solely for the benefit of patients. May this kind gesture inspire others to contribute to improving healthcare in Udu Kingdom and our society in general,” she said.

Chief Bar Moses Uchere accompanied the queen consort during the donation. The Chief Medical Director of FMC, Prof. Kingsley Akaba, expressed appreciation for the support, noting that the contribution would enhance patient care.

The monarch’s dual initiatives—scholarships for students and medical donations—were described as part of his broader commitment to uplifting education and healthcare in Udu Kingdom.