Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Twenty-five indigent students of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State have benefited from Prince Chudie Obinabo under his Ozo Onyeaghalanwanneya Scholarship Award Programme.
The beneficiaries include 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 pupils.
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 undergraduates 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 beneficiaries because we discovered through investigation that the school emphasises 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 to 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.
President General of the Town, Engr. Dr. Stephen Ufoaroh, appreciated the sponsor of the scholarship for living out his Ozo title name.
He challenged the students to work hard and obtain good results if they must continue to enjoy the scholarship.
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.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries Iloanusi Godwin, graduate of History and international Studies, UNIZIK described the benefactor as a man of his words.
