The Abia government, on Tuesday, disbursed cheques worth N1 million each to the 150 best HND graduates of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, (OOPA), between 2022 and 2024.

The rector of the polytechnic, Christopher Okoro, who handed over the cheques to the students on behalf of the governor, said that the empowerment aimed at turning them into entrepreneurs.

Mr Okoro said that the gesture was in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to the institution two years ago.

He said that the process of qualification involved HND graduates presenting proposals, which were vetted by a consultant, who shortlisted the successful beneficiaries.

He also said that the fund was a grant rather than loan given to ensure the beneficiaries would invest it to become better and also give back to society to improve other lives.

He said that Mr  Otti also directed the management of OOPA to interface with key entrepreneurs, who would assist the beneficiaries gain the capacity to utilise the money efficiently.

Mr Okoro said that although some beneficiaries had gone for national youth service, they should come for their cheques, whenever they returned, so they could utilise it for the purpose it was meant.

Earlier in an interactive session, the rector told journalists that the institution would hold its 22nd convocation ceremony on December 5.

He said that the institution had since Mr Otti’s administration improved in so many areas, including academics, infrastructure, productivity and personnel welfare.

According to him, apart from getting its old 33 courses accredited, OOPA has floated 17 new courses, including Legal Studies and Igbo Language, which had all been accredited to meet the student’s needs.

He said that the students were solely producing the iron doors used in all primary and secondary schools in Abia and all the refuse buckets Abia needed.

He said that the development had encouraged the students to work harder, while it provided other services and revenue to the state.

He said that the institution would move to its new site at Umuarakpa, Osisioma LGA on January 6, 2026.

Mr Okoro, however, said that the School of Engineering and Skills Acquisition Centre would remain because they had businesses with some citizens.

He thanked Mr Otti for being God-sent and all he had done for the polytechnic, and the media “for helping us to see our challenges and to work on them”.

 (NAN)