At 62, Ikpeazu Unveils Scholarship Scheme for First-Class Students, Advocates Skills Development
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and former Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has announced plans to establish the DOVIS Scholarship Scheme for outstanding first-class students, stressing that sustainable empowerment must be anchored on education, skills acquisition and human capacity development rather than handouts.
Ikpeazu made the announcement during activities marking his 62nd birthday and the fifth Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Colloquium, organised by the Pa Ismael Ikpeazu Library and DOVI Scientific Leadership Centre.
The colloquium, themed “Empowerment Beyond Handouts: Building Responsible, Skilled and Self-Reliant Young People for Sustainable Development,” brought together scholars, public figures, associates and other stakeholders to examine strategies for youth development and sustainable economic growth.
The former governor explained that the proposed scholarship would reward exceptional academic performance, with beneficiaries expected to maintain high standards throughout their studies. He added that the scholarship could be withdrawn if a recipient’s academic performance declined.
According to Ikpeazu, genuine empowerment goes beyond distributing money and material items to equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, experience and resources required to become self-reliant.
Reflecting on his years in public service, he emphasised the importance of combining training with mentorship, practical experience and access to resources to prepare young people for sustainable livelihoods.
He cited agricultural initiatives implemented during his administration in Abia State, particularly poultry clusters established to equip young people with the skills and experience needed to operate independent businesses.
The programme provided facilities, including poultry pens, feed stores and veterinary clinics, alongside expert instructors who guided participants through classroom lessons and practical farm management.
Ikpeazu said the approach helped prepare beneficiaries for the realities of running poultry businesses by equipping them with practical knowledge before they ventured into independent operations.
The ambassador also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him to represent Nigeria in Spain. He commended the President’s economic reforms, which he said had placed the country on a positive economic trajectory.
He equally acknowledged the support of his family, friends and political associates throughout his academic, professional and political career.
Capacity Building, Not Handouts
Delivering the keynote lecture virtually, Professor John Uzoma Ihendinihu, a Professor of Accounting and Taxation at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, said the success of empowerment programmes should be measured by the capabilities they create rather than the immediate benefits distributed to recipients.
He argued that sustainable youth development requires an integrated approach that combines character formation, education, technical competence and self-reliance.
The professor called for a shift from cash transfers and material gifts to more sustainable interventions, including vocational training, mentorship, entrepreneurship support and access to markets.
He also described Ikpeazu’s career as an example of the role education, discipline and public service can play in personal and professional development.
Among the youth-oriented initiatives he highlighted were the promotion of the Made-in-Aba campaign, sponsorship of local artisans for international training, the establishment of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and the Enyimba Automated Garment Factory, as well as efforts to secure institutional markets for products manufactured by Aba-based entrepreneurs.
According to Ihendinihu, these initiatives illustrated an approach to empowerment that prioritised productive capacity, job creation and economic self-reliance over short-term material assistance.
He urged governments, educational institutions, businesses and community leaders to invest in programmes that equip young people with the skills, discipline and entrepreneurial abilities required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Colloquium Focuses on Sustainable Youth Development
Earlier, the moderator of the event and former spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, described Ikpeazu as a scholar, statesman, diplomat and public servant whose career has been shaped by scholarship, humility and service.
Ebienfa noted that the annual colloquium had consistently addressed issues relating to economic development, entrepreneurship and sustainable empowerment.
He said this year’s theme reflected the need to equip young people with the knowledge, practical skills and values required to become productive and independent members of society.
According to him, discussions at previous editions had progressed from entrepreneurship and economic growth to examining the shortcomings of some empowerment programmes and identifying more sustainable approaches through human capital development.
Guests and associates who participated physically and virtually from different parts of the world paid tribute to the ambassador, acknowledging his contributions to public service, education, youth development and community advancement.
The celebration ended with goodwill messages, birthday tributes and the rendition of a birthday song in honour of Ikpeazu, as family members, friends, political associates and well-wishers joined in celebrating his 62nd birthday.
