Julius Ihonvbere Drives Human Capital Development Across Owan Federal Constituency

Hon. Prof. Julius Osemeikhian Ihonvbere, OON has built a development model that focuses on people rather than optics. In Owan Federal Constituency, his approach centres on scholarships, skills training, health outreach, school upgrades, and legislative advocacy aimed at expanding access to quality education and health services. The consistent thread in his work is simple: invest in people so communities can grow from within.

Human capital development has remained the foundation of his legislative work across Owan East and Owan West. His philosophy is grounded in the belief that no community can rise above the education, skills, and health of its people. Over time, his initiatives have formed a structured framework for long-term social and economic progress.

In education, his interventions have significantly widened access and improved learning conditions. Through sustained scholarship and bursary schemes, students from low-income households have been able to stay in school. His support has covered tertiary scholarships, funding for WAEC and NECO fees, assistance to gifted but underprivileged students, and the distribution of textbooks, uniforms, and learning materials. Alongside this, classroom renovations, provision of furniture, and installation of solar-powered lighting and fans have helped create safer and more productive learning environments in communities such as Avbiosi, Sobe, Afuze, Ihievbe, and Sabongida-Ora.

Youth and women empowerment has also taken centre stage in his constituency work. Hundreds of beneficiaries have participated in vocational and technical training across ICT, fashion design, hairdressing, welding, catering, printing, and small-scale enterprise development. These programmes were supported with real-life, hands-on training from certified instructors. To ensure sustainability, participants received starter packs and grants, including sewing and grinding machines, welding kits, POS devices, artisan toolboxes, and cash support for small businesses. More than 700 young people and women have directly benefited, with many reporting improved income and household stability.

Healthcare interventions under his leadership have focused on prevention and access. Free medical and eye-care outreaches have delivered services such as eye screenings, prescription glasses, blood pressure and diabetes checks, minor treatments, and drug distribution. Vulnerable groups, including senior citizens and low-income families, were prioritised. In addition, primary health centres received beds, mattresses, medical supplies, and basic refurbishments, helping to reduce preventable illnesses and improve productivity in the community.

Beyond constituency projects, Prof. Ihonvbere’s work has connected Owan to national development priorities. Through sponsored and supported bills, he has pushed for stronger educational institutions and improved federal support for teaching and learning. His advocacy for rural healthcare and insistence on transparency through oversight functions have ensured that his constituency maintains a strong voice in Abuja and benefits from federal interventions.

He has also strengthened community stability through consistent engagement with traditional rulers, youth associations, women’s groups, and local leaders. His support for widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigent households, alongside food support during festive and emergency periods, has helped deepen social cohesion and protect the most vulnerable.

So far, over 1,000 students have benefited from scholarships, fee support, and learning materials, while classroom conditions across Owan East and Owan West have improved significantly. More than 700 youths and women have been trained and empowered with tools, grants, and business support. Thousands have accessed healthcare services through outreach programmes and strengthened primary healthcare facilities.

Prof. Ihonvbere’s approach blends traditional representation with people-centred development. Built around three clear pillars — educating the child, skilling the youth, and empowering the family — his strategy continues to drive sustainable growth in Owan Federal Constituency. The results increasingly show that when people gain knowledge, health, and opportunity, communities thrive, one student, one entrepreneur, and one household at a time.