“I Did Not Know Ordinary People Can Come Close And Shake Hands With A Governor” – Mother Whose Pilot-Trainee Son Mbah Paid N23.3m Fees For

By Adesina Soyooye

In a very touching and emotional scene, Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, gave hope to the hopeless. He uplifted a family and its brilliant teenage-son beyond their imagination. He brought sunshine to his life, and gave him a refreshing future.

It started when 17- year old Israel Echezona took the entrance examination to the  Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria. His ambition is to become a Pilot. But considering how expensive it is to train a Pilot at NCAT,  Echezona’s ambition was a tall one.

But he was not discouraged. He probably had no hope of being a Pilot-trainee there, but he took the entrance all the same.

His ambition took a dramatic turn when the result of the entrance examination was published. The teenager shone like a thousand stars. He came out tops, and emerged the overall best candidate.

His life changed when the attention of Governor Mbah was drawn to Echezona’s feat. The teenager is from Enugu State, and so, Governor Mbah’s subject.

Mbah, therefore, had no second thoughts to help when the teenager’s plight was brought before him. “Your subject was the overall best candidate but cannot go to NCAT   because of the fees.”

The Governor quickly sent for the teenager who lives in the Northern part of Nigeria with his mother and siblings.

On arrival, Mbah gave them an unexpected welcome. He immediately offset Echezona’s initial school fees of N23.2 million. And he did more. The Governor said the State Government would pick all his bills until his final graduation/qualification as a Pilot.

Said Mbah to the teenager: “I congratulate you on your admission. You have made us proud, and this is exactly what we want for the youths  of our State. We will give you full support going forward. So, the ball is now in your court. Go and make us proud.”

An overwhelmed and emotional Echezona promised to make the State proud. He said the Governor, by his action, has shown there is hope for Nigeria. For that, the teenager had an advice for youths. He asked them not to lose hope but to work hard to be the best in whatever they do.

Echezona: “Look up to God. Pray and work hard. Nigeria is our country. Meet your Governor. The other Governors who are like my Governor, Peter Mbah, might help you in the sponsorship of your education.”

His mother said she had lost hope that his son would take up the admission until the  former Councillor, for Mgbagbu-Owa Ward 1, Stephen Okafor, suggested we draw the Governor’s attention to our plight.

Her words: “I am filled with joy. When the admission came out, I saw the money, and I said I could not continue because it is not what I can attain. But I was encouraged that this is a rare admission, that the Government could be interested in it. We wrote to our Councillor who took it up. Within one week, we are here, and I have  met and talked with the Governor.

“I did not know that a Government can be this kind and the Governor has already proven that even ordinary people can come close to the Governor. I am overwhelmed having a handshake with the Governor, and he told us he is taking full responsibility for this child as his own.”