Students and parents in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State have applauded the member representing Obingwa-West State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, following the successful rollout of the sixth edition of his annual Free JAMB Registration initiative.
The programme, held at Osusu Amaukwa Community Secondary School in Obingwa LGA today, saw over 1,500 students enrolled for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at no cost, providing significant relief to families grappling with economic hardship.
Beneficiaries and parents who spoke with newsmen described the initiative as timely, impactful and a clear demonstration of responsive representation.
A parent from Mgboko Umuanunu community, Mr. Chibuzo Nwankwo, said the gesture had eased the financial strain on many households.
“In this period of economic hardship, paying for JAMB registration for more than one child is not easy. What Hon. Erondu Jnr has done has lifted a heavy burden off our shoulders. This is not the first time he is doing this, and that consistency shows he truly cares about the future of our children. We are grateful and we pray that God strengthens him to do more,” he said.
He urged the students to justify the opportunity by studying hard and making the constituency proud.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Amarachi Iheoma, expressed excitement and appreciation, noting that the support had brought her closer to achieving her dream of studying Medicine at the university.
“My parents were worried about how to pay for the registration, but Hon. Erondu has made it possible for me and many others. We promise to make good use of this opportunity and come out successful,” she said.
Other students, including Enweremadu Chiedozie, Samuel Chikadibia and Promise Divine Chinagorom, described the initiative as a major relief, disclosing that some of them had considered skipping this year’s examination due to financial constraints before the intervention came.
Erondu Jnr, who chairs the House Committee on Public Service Matters, said the initiative was designed to promote access to higher education by covering the cost of UTME registration for eligible students within Obingwa-West (Uhie) State Constituency and across Abia State.
The Uhie-born legislator reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment and educational advancement, stressing that education remains a critical tool for social mobility and sustainable development.
The former Chairman, Obingwa LGA noted that the programme forms part of his broader human capital development agenda aimed at securing a brighter future for young people in the constituency.
With the sixth edition successfully completed, stakeholders say the Free JAMB Registration scheme has continued to strengthen Erondu Jnr’s reputation for grassroots-driven initiatives and people-oriented representation.
