Prof. Julius Ihonvbere’s ‘People-First’ Development Agenda in Owan Federal Constituency

By Correspondent

Hon. Prof. Julius Osemeikhian Ihonvbere, OON is building people, not just executing projects. His work in Owan Federal Constituency reads less like the usual constituency photo-op ledger and more like a deliberate human-development strategy: scholarships, skills training, health outreaches, school improvements, and laws aimed at expanding access to learning and health services.

Together these programs show a singular focus — invest in people so the community can grow from the inside out.

This Special Report, second in the series, highlights the major strides recorded so far.

Human capital development has been the heartbeat of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere’s legislative stewardship. His interventions across Owan East and Owan West reflects a clear philosophy of ‘no community grows beyond the skills, education and health of its people.’

This Report highlights the major strides recorded so far by the Leader of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives.

1. EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT — Expanding Access and Quality

• Scholarships and Bursaries

Over the last two years, Prof. Ihonvbere has maintained a robust scholarship and bursary support system designed to keep students from low-income families in school.
Key interventions include:

• Annual tertiary-education scholarships for students in federal, state and private institutions.
• Payment of WAEC/NECO fees for pupils from vulnerable households.
• Support to gifted but underprivileged students in science, engineering, and social sciences.
• Provision of school bags, writing materials, textbooks and uniforms across communities.

These interventions have directly eased financial pressure on parents while boosting enrolment and retention in rural schools.

Recognizing that a conducive learning environment improves performance, the constituency facilitated:

• Renovation of dilapidated classrooms in selected primary and secondary schools.
• Provision of furniture, including desks, benches, and teachers’ tables.
• Supply of solar-powered fans and lighting in dark, poorly equipped classrooms.
• Minor structural upgrades to schools in Avbiosi, Sobe, Afuze, Ihievbe, Sabongida-Ora and other communities.

The upgrades have strengthened teaching and encouraged community involvement in school maintenance.

2. EMPOWERING YOUTH & WOMEN — Building Local Economies

• Vocational Skills Training

Strong human capital requires skills that translate to income. To this end, Prof. Ihonvbere organized constituency-wide vocational programs, training hundreds of youths and women in:

• ICT and digital literacy
• Fashion design and tailoring
• Hairdressing and cosmetology
• Welding and fabrication
• Catering and small-scale catering services
• Printing, branding and sign-making

Participants were trained by certified instructors with hands-on practical sessions.

• Starter Packs & Economic Grants

To ensure trainees become self-reliant, the following empowerment tools were distributed:

• Sewing machines, hairdryers, grinding machines, welding kits
• POS devices for digital-payment entrepreneurship
• Cash grants for micro-business expansion
• Start-up toolboxes for artisans
• Women’s cooperatives and youth groups also received micro-capital support to strengthen community commerce.
• Over 700 youths and women have benefitted directly from training and empowerment, with many reporting immediate increases in income and household stability.

1. HEALTH, NUTRITION AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

Health is one of the pillars of human capital and in realization of this, Prof Ihonvbere has embarked on Constituency-Wide Outreach Programmes which has recorded Free Medical and Eye-Care Outreach successes:

• Free eye screening and prescription glasses
• Diabetes and hypertension checks
• Minor treatments and provision of essential medications
• Health education on nutrition and lifestyle diseases
• Senior citizens and low-income individuals were prioritised, reaching several thousand residents across Owan.
• Support to Primary Health Centres
• Provision of beds, mattresses and medical consumables
• Remedial refurbishments in rural clinics
• Advocacy for improved staffing and federal support to underserved communities.

These interventions help to reduce preventable illnesses and enhance productivity for working-age adults.

4. LEGISLATIVE IMPACT — Linking Owan to National Priorities

Prof. Ihonvbere’s human-capital agenda extends beyond constituency projects into national policymaking. As a senior lawmaker, he has sponsored and supported bills to strengthen education institutions and expand federal support for teaching and learning.

He consistently advocates for rural health facilities, ensuring federal attention is directed to underserved communities.

Through oversight functions, he pushes for transparency in federal interventions that benefit communities in Owan.

This blend of constituency action and federal policy engagement gives Owan a stronger voice in Abuja.

5. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & SOCIAL STABILITY

• Support for community leadership and local associations
• Assistance to community groups for development drives.
• Backing of youth associations promoting civic responsibility and sportsmanship.
• Engagement with traditional rulers to maintain peace and communal harmony.
• Support for Vulnerable Groups
• Monthly assistance to widows, elderly citizens and indigent households.
• Provision of food packs during festive seasons and emergency periods.
• Special support for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

These efforts strengthen social cohesion and ensure no group is left behind.

In summary, Prof Ihonvbere’s stewardship at the National Assembly has impacted Owan Federal Constituency in education, where over 1,000 students have benefited from his scholarships, fees assistance and learning materials.

Classrooms condition across both Owan West and East local government areas have improved.

Through Skills and Economic Empowerment, over 700 beneficiaries have been trained and empowered with start-up resources—as well as dozens of SMEs supported with tools and working capital.

On healthcare, thousands have benefited from his medical and eye-care missions, whole strengthening Primary Health Care facilities PHCs which has improved early detection of common illnesses.

Prof Ihonvbere’s interventions no doubt is contributing to the revival of youth participation in Local Economic Development (LED) programs, enhanced women’s economic stability, and increased local productivity.

His human-capital interventions demonstrate a clear strategic mix of traditional, project-heavy representation and people-centred, skills-driven development. The approach is anchored on three pillars—Educate the child; Skill the youth, and Empower the family.

The results so far confirm that when people gain knowledge, health and opportunity, communities grow sustainably.

Owan Federal Constituency is experiencing that transformation — one student, one entrepreneur, one community at a time.

The series on Ptof Julius Ihonvbere’s Legislative Agenda for Owan Federal Constituency continues next week.

Next: How Hon. Prof Julius Ihonvbere is giving meaning to legislative politics in Edo State and Nigeria.