IGBOEBISI EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN IN OBOSI
By Chiedu Uche Okoye :
The Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation, which came into existence some years ago, gave 22 pupils in Obosi educational life-lines that would enable them to acquire qualitative secondary school education.
The factors of indigence, diligence, and brilliance were the benchmark used to select the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme.
The well-attended event, which was graced by illustrious sons and daughters of Obosi, took place inside the Cavernous hall of the Obosi town hall.
Pupils who came out with flying colours in the state Common Entrance Examination were selected for the scholarship examination.
Each of the 14 primary schools whose pupils sat the Igboebisi Scholarship Examination selected four pupils for the examination. And 16 pupils from all the schools that participated in the scholarship examination sailed through in the competitive examination.
More so, four pupils from Central School, Obosi, a pupil who executed an engineering feat, and a diligent and obedient pupil from a poor home benefited from the scholarship scheme, too.
The event was opened with prayers said by Venerable Chukwubuihem, who prayed for the sustenance and continuation of the Igboebisi Educational Empowerment Programme.
The Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka(Eze Iweka III), in whose domain the event took place, said that investment in human beings is the greatest investment we should make.
He thanked teachers for grooming school children for greatness and referred to them as builders of our society.
Igwe Iweka further prayed that teachers should receive their rewards not only in heaven but also on earth.
More so, the President General of Obosi Development(ODU), Barr. Chimezie Obi, who was represented by Mr. Amala Egbuonye, advised the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme to use the opportunity offered to them for the acquisition of education to realise their manifold potential.
Barr. Obi further enjoined the people of Obosi to continue supporting the Igboebisi educational initiative, which is beneficial to Obosi people.
In his remarks, Dr. Uche Chukwurah, who is one of the directors of the Foundation, said that the idea behind the Foundation is transformational, not transactional. He said, “our volition to support pupils from poor homes to acquire secondary school education had proved that we’re one people, who have not lost our humanity”.
During the event, dance groups from some primary schools in Obosi entertained the guests with their cultural displays.
The climax of the event was the collection of certificates of recognition by the beneficiaries of the Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation Scholarship Programme.
Some of the dignitaries, who attended the event donated money to the Foundation so as to enable it to foot the educational expenses of the beneficiaries of the Igboebisi Educational Foundation.
The donors included Rtd Col. Agbanusi, Barr. Victor Nwokeabia, Lady Phina Onwuachu, Mr Omezie Onyire, Kosisochukwu Iweka’s Foundation, Obosi Village Square Initiative, and ODU Enugu Women’s Wing.
Other illustrious sons and daughters of Obosi, who were present during the event were Rtd AIG Nnaemeka Okeke, Prof Nnamdi Onyire, Barr. Oby Ajaegbo, Prof.(Mrs) Ononye, Mr. Chinedu Nwogem, Mrs Oby Agom(Principal of Union Secondary School, Obosi) , Mrs. Arinze(Principal of CSS, Obosi), and Chief Omezie Chukwurah(Oshaa Obosi).
The Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation, which is the brainchild of a London-based medical doctor, Dr. Kene Igboebisi, is designed to help brilliant kids from poor homes acquire post-primary school education.
*Chiedu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State