By Praise Chinecherem
A total of 100 students have been rewarded with N2.8million by a group of Awka indigenes under the auspices of Awka Na Aso Enwe Foundation for their outstanding performances in the maiden Awka Quiz Competition.
The beneficiaries comprising 53 junior and 47 senior secondary students were drawn from various villages in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
Speaking during the Prize Giving and Award Ceremony themed, “Building Awka Young Minds, Igniting Academic Excellence”, the Coordinator, Chris Ofodile said the exercise was targeted at rekindling the flame of excellence that once defined the community.
He said the foundation’s goal was to empower the next generation with skills and knowledge to succeed through provision of quality education and vocational training.
He also announced a donation of N2million to the 100 participants in the competition by member representing Awka South 1 in the state House of Assembly, Hon Henry Mbachu.
Ofodile said the fund was meant for West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for both Senior and Junior students’ participants in the exercise.
He said, “The competition embodies the values of academic excellence, healthy competition, and community engagement. It inspires our students to strive for greatness, to explore new ideas and develop a love for learning that will stay with them throughout their lives.
“Today’s event marks the beginning of a push to get Awka, our dear town, back into the winning ways. We are rekindling the flame of excellence that once defined our community.
“We celebrate not only the achievements of our students but also the potential they have to shape a brighter future for themselves and for generations to come.
“We envision an education and vocational program setting the benchmark for every Awka family at a minimum senior school certificate. Upon achieving this, our teenagers can choose between further education or vocational training.
“We will carefully harness and unveil various skill paths in due time, equipping our youth with practical skills for success in industries and contributing to our community’s economic growth.
“Together, let us entrench this remarkable annual event, impacting Awka youths and inspiring a culture of achievement and progress. Let us demonstrate our commitment to the future of our town by supporting initiatives that foster education, innovation, and growth.”
Appreciating the sponsors, donors and Registrar for making the event possible, the Coordinator described their investment in the students as testament to their commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders
He said their efforts had not only created platform for the students to shine, but enabled his team to reward and inspire the talented students to greatness, appealing to other well-to-do sons and daughters, both at home and diaspora, to join forces with them.
Congratulating the students for the feat, Ofodile stressed that their achievements remained testament to their perseverance and passion for knowledge.
“You have made your families, schools and community proud. I urge you to continue striving for excellence. Your achievements today are just the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, growth, and discovery.
“I want to see you shine and soar to great heights, making positive impacts in your communities and the world at large. Remember, success is not a destination, but a journey. Always stay true to your passions and values,” he added.
In his keynote speech, a university Don, Prof Frank-Collins Okafor challenged the students to aspire for excellence and shun cultism and examination malpractices.
He listed importance of academic excellence to include boosting academic ego, creation of open doors for now and future.
He described an average Awka indigene as a born leader, peacemaker, politically mature, civilized and organized, saying a slap on him is a slap on face of destiny and chosen race.
Secretary, BoT, Awka Elites Club, Ikechukwu Otti described his organization as education friendly, promising to organize extra morale classes for the students.
“We identified with the project because we are lovers of education and culture of our people. We’re ready to support to any level as many as are willing to study and excel. But we can’t admit those in cultism to avoid distractions,” he stated.
Chairman of the occasion, Sir Ndubuisi Nwobu pledged his commitment to promoting literacy and academics among young people.
He commended the foundation for being thorough in the entire process, saying merit was not sacrificed on the platter of selfish interests.
“Anything that promotes literacy and academics should be encouraged. Those who could not make it in this edition should not to be discouraged but to see it as a challenge for better performance next year,” he added.
Registrar, Chris Ughanze disclosed that part of the reasons for the exercise was to change the mindset of several students on the recent popular saying that education is a scam.
Highpoint of the event was presentation of cheques and cash donations to the winners of the competition.
