By Tony Oraeki, Awka
About 300 students and pupils have so far benefited from an educational scholarship scheme, Ozo Onyeaghana-nwanneya Foundation, in Ifitedunu Community of Dunukofia local government area, Anambra state to the tune of N200 million in ten years.
The President of the Foundation, Engr Godfrey Chudie Obinabo disclosed this yesterday during the presentation of empowerment to beneficiaries as part of the events marking his birthday celebration at his home town, Ifitedunu. He said this was a yearly event to mark his birthday which was every 30th of September ten years ago.
“Since the inception of this Scholarship Scheme, we have focused solely on assisting indigent undergraduates from both Polytechnics and Universities.
“We have progressed from a humble beginning and expanded to what you are witnessing here today”, he said.
Obinabo Obinabo explained that he is not into the foundation because he has excess money, noting that he is still searching and still lacking but because of the fact that the little gesture can assist some undergraduates educationally.
”I was motivated to carry out this project because of my rigorous bitter experience I had during my school days. Though, when I was growing up, my orientation was that nothing would come cheaply on its own. Based on this, I know what it means being a student as every little money means a lot.
”I am not the richest man in Ifitedunu but it requires the zeal to distinguish yourself from the task. Today we have about 31 students who are benefiting from this foundation and we have approximately a total of 300 beneficiaries since the inception of this Programme, ten years ago.
”Even after graduation, we also assist in getting job for them through my connections and many have gotten jobs and 23 are helping more of them.
”Some have travelled outside the country and I get them connected to the scholarship foundation abroad and I am impressed with their performance.
”This foundation has so far spent approximately #200 million empowering our youths to get good and quality education,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Anambra Central Senatorial District candidate for All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon Dozie Nwankwo, noted that while at the Federal House of Representatives, he was able to empower great number of students and pupils, adding that when elected into the Senate, he would make both formal and vocational education his first line charge.
”Education is the key to our secured future and the best a society can offer to its younger generation and secure the future of the country. I have been part of this foundation since inception and I am here to also contribute in my own modest way to the empowerment of the younger generation in Ifitedunu and Anambra Central Senatorial District at large”, he said.
In her remarks, one of the beneficiaries, Miss Chinelo Agamba, said the scholarship foundation has been of great assistance to both the tertiary students, primary and nursery pupils, adding that even some handicapped got some bites.
”I started benefiting from this scholarship Programme right from my second year in the school, University of Nigeria, Nssukka, where I read Biology, till my final year. It’s not easy for someone to bring out money to support total strangers without any expectation.
“I pray that God will keep him alive so that he will continue the good work for others to equally benefit. Being rich is one thing and being generous is another thing, so, I urge some of these rich people in our society to also partake in helping others that really deserve help”, she stated.
