By Praise Chinecherem
25 indigent students from Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State have benefited from Prince Engr Sir Chudie Obinabo under his Ozo Onyeaghalanwanneya Scholarship Award Programme.
The beneficiaries included students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Fed College of Education, Umunze, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state as well as four primary school pulpils.
Five graduates from the scheme were also appreciated with cash awards for successful completion of their undergraduate programmes.
Speaking during the 8th edition of the scholarship, the benefactor, Prince Obinabo said the initiative was targeted at assisting future generations and leaders to become independent and self reliant adults.
He described the 2024 edition as unique as it captured carefully selected indigent undergraduates and young performing children in nursery and primary schools.
He promised to extend the scholarship to all towns in Dunukofia in 2025 with five undergraduates from each town in the Council Area.
He said, “This scholarship has been ongoing uninterrupted for eight years. Since its inception, we focused solely on assisting indigent undergraduate from both polytechnic and universities.
“This year’s edition is special because it’s in two stages: one for the indigent undergraduates and the other for young performing children in nursery and primary schools.
“We added some pupils of Cherrybloom Montessori School, Ifitedunu to the list of benefiaries because we discovered through investigation that the school emphasizes on providing standard education through contemporary educational techniques.
“We’ve seen what they did with our children and want to encourage them to do more. I’ve invited you not just to join me in commemorating my birthday, but also witness my humble capital development initiative.
“This initiative is targeted at assisting our future generations and leaders of tomorrow to become independent and self reliant adults.”
Obinabo further advised the beneficiaries not to be distracted but to always have their eyes on the ball, promising to secure jobs for those with distinctions upon graduation.
“There’s no job in Nigeria, it’s for those with poor results. Once your results are excellent, it will be difficult to look for jobs. I’ll sponsor those with distinctions,” he assured.
Earlier, President General of the Town, Engr. Dr. Stephen Ufoaroh appreciated the sponsor of the scholarship for living out his “Ozo” title name, Ozo Onyeaghananwanneya (meaning let no one leave his kinsman behind or don’t forget your kinsmen when things are going well with you).
He appealed to other affluencial indigenes of the community to follow the benefactor’s example of investing in human capital development and in the future of youths of Ifitedunu which would indirectly lead to crime reduction.
Ufoaroh challenged the students to work hard and obtain good results if they must continue to enjoy the scholarship.
Former PG of Ifitedunu and Chairman of the scholarship scheme, Chief Samuel Nweke challenged the beneficiaries to justify the support given to them.
Member, representing Dunukofia in the State House of Assembly, Hon Francis Chuks Azotani expresed gratitude to Prince Obinabo for giving hope to the youths of Ifitedunu and pledged to support the scholarship scheme with N500,000.
“We thank you for being a blessing to the people and reducing burden of government. To the beneficiaries, don’t join cultism, but concentrate on your studies so you don’t regret in future,” he advised.
Traditional Ruler of the community, HRM Dr. Emeka Ilouno Ezedunu 11 thanked God for the initiatives given to the benefactor to provide the scholarships, urging other spirited individuals in the community to borrow a leaf from him to put smiles in faces of people of the area.
He promised to register jobless youths idling away in the community in order to empower them with education and skills so they could be responsible to themselves, their families and society.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries Iloanusi Godwin, graduate of History and international Studies, UNIZIK described the benefactor as a man of his words.
“Since 2016 you started this project, you have not reneged, and many of us have benefited and still benefiting. All we promise you is that you’re going to see the fruits of your benevolence in years to come,” he said.
The occasion, graced by dignitaries from all works of life witnessed cutting of the birthday cake presented by the beneficiaries as well as presentation of cheques to beneficiaries by the Royal Father on behalf of the benefactor.
