By Izunna Okafor and Uzo Ugwunze
A non-governmental organization, Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation (IEF) has awarded scholarships worth about 15 million naira to 22 secondary school children drawn from different schools in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The event, IEF 2024 Scholarship Award, which held on Monday at the Obosi Town Hall, attracted community leaders and other dignitaries from different parts of the community and beyond, including the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III of Obosi); the President General of Obosi Development Union (ODU), Barr. Chimezie Obi; ODU Education Committee Chairman, Engr. Solomy Ochokwu, among others.
Speaking at the event, the Director IEF, Mr. Chijioke Ezeani said the 22 beneficiaries comprise 16 best pupils from the 14 primary schools in Obosi community, a pupil who constructed a Keke Napep, an indigent school drop out who was discovered when he came to help out his school bursar; and 4 indigent pupils recommended by the Vicar managing St. Andrew’s Primary School, Obosi.
Ezeani said that the Foundation would henceforth cater for everything about their academics.
“Funds for all recommended exercise books, textbooks, uniforms, registration fees, tuition fees, back to school package, lockers & chairs, full payments for Junior Secondary School Certificate and Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations have been provided, as long as the recipients continue to exhibit diligence and hardwork,” he said.
For the Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Chuka Chukwurah, helping the less privileged children get a better life towards a better society is very essential and should be supported by all, as investment in children or human capital development is the greatest investment that will make a better society void of crime.
In his remarks, the Founder, IEF, Dr. Kene Igboebisi, flanked by her mother, Dr. Mrs Nonyelum Igboebisi, said that the Foundation, which was initiated in memory of his father, late Engr. Igboebisi, has the primary objective of empowering children, youths, and girls in Obosi, and by extension, Anambra State, and Nigeria, for the purpose of changing their lives, helping them to move forward, and enabling them become better citizens for a better society.
He also emphasized the need for the privileged members of the society to always support and help the less privileged ones around them in any little or much way they can.
“Do not wait for government to do everything; do something for yourself and the children around you, so that when they grow up, they will remember that someone did something for them and they will do it for someone else. That is Pay it Forward Scheme.
“Education is the bedrock of any society that desires change. This scholarship award is called ‘Pay it Forward Scholarship Scheme’. We empower brilliant children or less privileged children to acquire quality education. If they do well after secondary school education, the scholarship continues to University education, if the beneficiary is performing well academically and is hardworking,” Dr. Igboebisi said.
Contributing his voice another IEF Director, Dr. Uche Chukwurah, said that paying it forward is a call to action that urges people to go beyond themselves.
According to him, “It is more than just responding to kindness; it’s a mindset that challenges us to create a legacy of generosity —one that outlives our momentary interactions, shaping Obosi and the world at large long after we’re gone.”
“Let’s come together, to create a world where kindness is not the exception but the norm. You can offer a smile — touching lives in Obosi and beyond,” he added.
Earlier speaking while breaking the kola nut, the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, H.R.M. Igwe Iweka showered his royal blessings on the benefactor and others who contributed in one way or the other to the possibility of the day. He commended Igboebisi’s philanthropic gestures, and noted that such are the ways communities grow and society develops, even as he further called for the emulation of such gestures.
On his own part, the Deputy Chairman, Idemili North L.G.A., Lady Phina Onwuachu, who lauded the Foundation, promised to support the Foundation, saying that Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model was part of her manifesto before she assumed office. She further urged everyone to contribute in one way or the other in the development of their community, as government cannot be everywhere at the same time.
In a remark, the President General of Obosi Development Union (ODU), Barr. Obi, represented represented by ODU Secretary General, Mr. Amala Egbuonye, advised the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme not to misuse the opportunity offered to them for the acquisition of quality education in order to become somebody in life. He further urged more Obosi indigenes to emulate IEF, think home, support education, as well attract meaningful development to the community.
Also speaking, a donor, Rtd Col. Sam Agbanusi declared his interest to contribute in sponsoring the education of the indigent school dropout who went to help his Bursar, emphasizing that he wants to give hope to the boy and to also prove the fact that someone’s background or not having a godfather cannot be a barrier to one becoming somebody in life.
Other donors include Kosisochukwu Iweka’s Child Development Foundation, Obosi Village Square Initiative, and ODU Enugu Women’s Wing.
The event was also graced by some other dignitaries from Obosi who are lovers of Education and advocates of Think Home philosophy include Chief Alex Omezie Chukwurah (Oshaa Obosi), Rtd. AIG Nnaemeka Okeke, Prof. Nnamdi Onyire, Barr. Oby Ajaegbo, Prof.(Mrs) Ononye; Chairman Ito-Ogbo Obosi, Mr. Chinedu Nwogem; Principal of Union Secondary School, Obosi, Mrs Oby Agom; and the Principal of Community Secondary School, Obosi, Mrs. Arinze, who all appreciated the giant efforts of IEF’s ‘Pay It Forward’ Scholarship Scheme, and urged other citizens of Nigeria to replicate such generosity in their various communities.
Viewing of a documentary of Ito-Ogbo Obosi Ukwalla Kingdom; cultural displays by school children, presentation of scholarship award certificates, among others, formed the high points of the event.
More photos from the event:
