Agatu LG Chairman, Melvin Ejeh rewards essay competition winner with N1m

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Hon. James Melvin Ejeh, has rewarded academic excellence with a cash gift of ₦1 million to Imoni Adoga Joshua, who emerged second runner-up in a recent essay competition held in Enugu State.

The gesture has drawn widespread commendation from residents and youth groups across Agatu, with many describing it as a landmark intervention in support of education and youth development.

The Agatu Indigenous Youth Association, AIYA, in a statement, praised the council chairman for recognising and rewarding the student, noting that the action reflected his commitment to promoting education in the local government.

According to the association, the reward followed calls for Joshua to be recognised for making Agatu proud at the competition.

The group described the development as the first of its kind in the history of Obagaji and the entire Agatu Local Government Area.

“By gifting Imoni a cash prize of ₦1,000,000, the Chairman has not only celebrated excellence but has set a historic precedent,” the statement read.

AIYA stated that the chairman’s action would inspire many young people in the area to take education seriously and strive for excellence in academics.

The association further noted that the intervention demonstrated the importance Hon. Ejeh places on education as a tool for empowering the younger generation and building human capital.

“This gesture speaks volumes about Hon. Ejeh’s commitment to valuing education and using it as a powerful channel to inspire the younger generation to take their studies seriously,” the group added.

The youth body also commended the chairman for what it described as visionary leadership and investment in the future of Agatu youths.

“We thank you, Sir, for leading by example and investing in the future of Agatu youths, especially education, which remains one of the key pillars of human capital development,” the statement stated.