By Praise Chinecherem
Ten indigent students from Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State have been placed on University and Federal Polytechnics scholarships by Eze Ndigbo Lagos Island, Ozomkpu Dr. Onyeka Ifekandu.
Speaking at the event tagged, “Inauguration of Ezendigbo Foundation and disbursement of financial academic support to 10 selected students,” the benefactor, High Chief Ifekandu said the gesture was targeted at assisting parents and guardians who could not afford tuition fees of their wards.
Ifekandu who also disbursed N.5million to the students, said the scholarship scheme would run for five consecutive years.
He said, “I lost my dad at early age. At 15, I single handedly financed my secondary and post primary education to OND level. I studied at Lagos State Polytechnic.
“In 2021, I initiated this foundation at Lagos Island and have been in Lagos over 30 years. I assist both Igbo and non Igbo in Lagos Island as the Ezendigbo there.
“I render help, including giving loans to those in financial problem and provide free legal aids to those who could not finance their cases. I have been rendering this help for over five years now.
“Having come from a poor family background, I resolved to assist such people. This scholarship scheme is for five years and then another 10 students will come on board.
“My children are two in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, I want them to be in public University and Polytechnics not the mission one where millions will be paid as tuition fee and they will not feel the pain.
“This is the first edition of the foundation inauguration. I’m also floating a transport scheme for drivers in Enugwu Ukwu. It is a kind of revolving arrangements where what is generated will be put in the service of the scheme.
“N2.5million was shared to the students yearly and it will last for five years. We may increase our money to N10million with time to the benefitting indigent students. I’m always a happy man.”
Manager of the foundation, Anthony Icheku commended his boss for the philanthropy, saying he vowed not to allow funds hinder the poor from furthering their educational career, having been brought up in poor family background.
“He is always out to assist not only in education but in transportation, like he brought out two buses for transportation in Enugwu Ukwu, to assist his driver brothers.
“At the end of the month, what is generated will be put in the foundation to service it for growth and benefit of the drivers as means of fending for themselves,” he said.
