Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has awarded a comprehensive scholarship to Miss Chiazo Umeaniba, a student of Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nnewi, who scored 344 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The scholarship, announced on Sunday, June 28, 2026, during the first anniversary celebration of Solution Fun City in Awka, will cover her education from undergraduate to PhD level.
The announcement came as a surprise to the young scholar, who had performed as one of the dancers entertaining guests at the event. When Soludo learned that she was not only the school's senior prefect but also the state's top UTME scorer, he made an impromptu declaration that would change her life forever. "Your education from undergraduate to PhD is on me. Yes, the bill is on me," Soludo told the gathering, according to multiple reports. He drew a parallel between her journey and his own, recalling that he too had been a senior prefect in his school days and had gone on to earn a first-class degree, winning all departmental and faculty prizes. "I was also a senior prefect like you, I made the best result. I can see her coming out with first class honours, but the bill I will pay. Even after my tenure as a governor, I will continue to pay the bills," the governor declared.
The scholarship forms part of Governor Soludo's administration's commitment to rewarding academic excellence and encouraging young people to pursue their educational aspirations without financial constraints. The governor used the occasion to reaffirm his dedication to investing in the future of young people in Anambra State, assuring that talented students will continue to receive the support they need to achieve their full potential. Soludo had previously announced N80 million in grants to 80 startups in the state, demonstrating his administration's focus on nurturing both academic and entrepreneurial talent.
An emotional Miss Umeaniba expressed profound gratitude to Governor Soludo for the life-changing gesture, describing it as a strong motivation to excel in her academic pursuits. Her achievement as the state's top scorer in the 2026 UTME, with a score of 344 out of a possible 400, is a testament to her dedication and academic prowess.
The scholarship announcement was made during the first anniversary celebration of Solution Fun City, a recreational facility in Awka that was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025 and opened to the public on June 28, 2025. Governor Soludo described the facility as a multi-generational recreational hub designed to serve residents across social classes, noting that it has become a key component of his administration's vision to transform Anambra from a transit state into a preferred destination for tourism, investment, and leisure.
The Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Solution Fun City, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, commended Governor Soludo's vision, describing the facility as a testament to the governor's commitment to delivering development dividends. She disclosed that the centre recorded an average of 10,000 visitors daily between late December and mid-January, with guests coming from within and outside Anambra State. The anniversary celebration featured cultural performances and other recreational activities, drawing large crowds to commemorate one year of the facility's successful operation.
Governor Soludo highlighted that the project's success has attracted increased investor interest in large-scale developments, including residential estates and industrial cities. He reaffirmed his commitment to expanding similar world-class recreational facilities across the state, noting that more infrastructure projects are underway to sustain the facility's appeal and drive economic growth. The scholarship award to Chiazo Umeaniba stands as a powerful symbol of Governor Soludo's belief in the transformative power of education and his commitment to ensuring that exceptional talent in Anambra State is nurtured and supported, regardless of financial barriers.
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