Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Minister for Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, is to deliver the first annual Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Impact & Legacy Lecture Series in partnership with CLEEN Foundation on May 10, 2023, in Abuja.
Mrs Ezekwesili was a former Vice President of the World Bank, Africa Region; an economic policy expert; and an advocate for transparency, Accountability, Good Governance, Human Capital Development and Social Justice.
The lecture according to a statement issued by the Executive Chair, Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation, ICCEF, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, is part of the activities lined up in commemoration of the second anniversary of the demise of the civil society leader.
ICCEF, according to the statement, is a family foundation set up in in April 2022 in honour of the late Chukwuma, to drive his vision of an empowered young generation and an inclusive society where women and young people thrive.
The late Chukwuma died on April 3, 2021, and was buried on May 13, 2021.
He dedicated more than three decades of his life to fighting for marginalised voices, creating new ideas for social justice and building platforms for creative support to the civic space and civic voices.
The statement said he was resolute and consistent about amplifying new voices and promoting inter-generational mentoring.
According to the statement made available to Ikengaonline, the foundation will also award scholarships to indigent students in communities from the South-East and the South-South as part of activities to mark the second anniversary of the late Chukwuma’s exit.
The statement read in part: “The following activities would be carried out independently by ICCEF and jointly with CLEEN Foundation & Oluaka Institute of Technology Owerri, both being organisations and institutions that Innocent set up in his lifetime.
“The launching of ICCEF’s Community Youth Empowerment & Education Programme. Educational scholarships will be given biennially (every two years) and will be for the duration of the beneficiaries’ period of study in the institution.
“In this kick off phase, the programme is being implemented in partnership with four community associations in the South-East and South-South.
“Scholarships will be awarded to eight young persons (two from each community) in secondary and tertiary public institutions. The scholarships cover tuition fees, exam fees, school development levy (if any), books/stationeries, school bags etc. This will take place in Imo State on April 2nd, 2023
“Announcement of Mentors for the Mentoring & Inter-generational Dialogues (Big Brothers & Sisters Project) programme of ICCEF.
“Organizing of a Hackathon on April 4th, 2023 in partnership with Oluaka Institute of Technology, Owerri.”
