By Praise Chinecherem
Founder of the IG Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation, Dr. Ignatius Aguowo has awarded full scholarship to the four students of the Anambra Debate Team who won the just-concluded 2023 International Debate Championship, held in Malaysia.
Aguowo said the scholarships would cover their tuition fees and healthcare services, from their current educational level to their university level.
Speaking during the award presentation in Awka, the philanthropist appreciated the State Government for giving the Team the necessary support that saw them through the competition.
He said, “I saw the news of how students from Anambra State defeated their international counterparts to emerge the champion in the global competition on the social media.
“I was greatly impressed by the feat and decided to appreciate and encourage the Team for making the State and the country proud.
“I thank the State Government for giving the Team every necessary support that saw them through the competition.
“For the students, I urge you to keep developing yourselves and your God given talents. Also keep doing well in their studies without allowing any distractions. Above all, always put God first in everything you do.”
Aguowo, who also recently awarded full scholarship to 92 indigent students from different tertiary institutions across the country, also gave N100,000 each to the students.
He also donated the sum of N1million to the Anambra State Debate Coordinator, Mrs. Amaka Anaekwe and another N1million to the two coaches of the Team, Mr. Chiagozie Udorji and Mr. John Onuigbo (N500,000 each).
Earlier, Anambra State Debate Coordinator, Mrs. Amaka Anaekwe said the annual competition usually holds first at the national level, after which the group that emerged champion at their national level would represent their country in the international championship.
She said, “Team Anambra State has had track records of emerging the champion at the national level and representing Nigeria in the international championship of the debate competition for years, including the year 2015, when they represented the country in Singapore; year 2016, when they represented the country in Indonesia, among others years; and during which they also came back with trophies.
“This year’s Debate Championship also saw Team Anambra defeating other states in Nigeria to emerge champion at the national level, which qualified them to represent Nigeria (as Team Nigeria) in the International Championship in Malaysia.
“In Malaysia, the Team Anambra (also known as Team Nigeria or Team Solution) first defeated Team Malaysia 1, represented by Pin Hwa High School, by 3-0 at the semi-finals before advancing to the final stage, where they also defeated their counterparts from the Hin Hua High School in the grand finale, beating them 2-1 to emerge the overall winner and Champion of the competition.”
Appreciating Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the State’s Education Commissioner, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh; as well as heads of schools and education commissions for their support, saying the support was instrumental to the victories, both at the national and international levels.
Responding, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chuma-Udeh, whose joy knew no bound, described the feat as wholesome achievement that did not only attract pride to the State and the entire country, but stood as evidence of the huge investment and good works of the Soludo-led Government in education sector.
“Coming home with the trophy has brought a lot of smiles to our faces. It is also a demonstration of how the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who sponsored the trip, is passionate about education in Anambra State.
“The Governor has brought total transformation in every facet of education in the state. Indeed, this trophy won by the Solution Team stands as another mark of his achievement in the educational sector. We are glad the Team has made the state and the country proud again,” she said.
Appreciating the benefactor for his benevolence and encouragement to the Team, Chuma-Udeh described him as silent achiever and philanthropist with a difference.
“Your acts of selfless philanthropy is bettering the society; be rest assured that Anambra State education sector will not relent in making the state proud in the global sphere,” she said.
Others who spoke at the event include the legal counsel to the IG Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation, Barr. Dilibe Anene; and the State President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Anambra State Branch, Mr. Jovita Arazu, who both commended the State’s Ministry of Education and the IG Aguowo Foundation for their good works and expressed optimism for a much closer and sustained partnership between the two entities.
The beneficiaries: Okey Okonkwo John and Emmanuel Ezechukwu of the All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha; Okafor Obioma Blessing of the Mater Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji; and Mbachu Promise Chukwuemeka of St. Michaels Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo also appreciated Aguowo for his rewards and encouragement.
They promised to continue doing better in their studies towards greater heights and exploits.
