By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Save and Secure the Child Initiative (SASCI), a Non-governmental Organisation, weekend, offered scholarship to 39 indigent students in Anambra State, vowing also to end child abuse.
The beneficiaries were selected from 33 primary schools and 6 secondary schools across Awka South, Awka North and Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State.
NAMES OF SCHOOLS AND PUPILS
1. Nnebuzo Primary School, Awka
a. Ezenwa Oluebube - Primary 2
b. Chinwuba Osinachi - Primary 1
c. Onyeka Chinedum - Primary 3
2. Igwebuike Primary School, Awka.
a. Nwachukwu Chijioke - Primary 6
b. Aghanya Mmesoma - Primary 5
c. Okaforocjha Felicia – Primary 6
3. Central School, Mbaukwu
a. Atuka Chikamso – Primary 4
b. Edeh Ngozi - Primary 3
c. Nwafor Mesoma – Nursery 3
4. Agulu – Awka Primary School
a. Akunne Chidubem – Primary 3
b. Ezeh Sunday – Primary 5
c. Nwosu Oluchukwu – Primary 1
5. Ikwodiaku Primary School
a. Ncheonu Osinachi – Primary 6
b. 5 Akuakor Chikamso - Primary 6
c. Sati Fvour – Primary 1
6. Union Primary School, Nibo
a. Olisa Ebube – Primary 6
b. Darlington Nwagbo – Primary 6
7. Sir Herbert Nkwuocha Primary School, Enugu-Ukwu
a. Nwoye Echezona – Primary 3
b. Nwigwe Chidera – Primary 3
c. Nwofoke Kelvin – Primary 5
8. Obuokpala Primary School, Isiagu
a. Okolo Blessing – Primary 5
b. Ejike Chinenye – Primary 4
c. Paul Chialuka – Primary 5
9. Central School, Amawbia
a. Agodo Mighty-hope – Primary 3
b. Ogbaga Chimaobi – Primary 1
c. Nwibo Miracle – Primary 2
10. Community Primary School, Amawbia
a. Nwoye Miracle – Primary 3
b. Uche Marvelous – Primary 2
c. Okafor Chinecherem – Primary 6
11. Igwebuike Primary School, Awka
a. Nwabunwanne Chiamaka – Primary 6
b. Iheukwueme Chibuzor – Primary 4
c. Ugochukwu Noka – Primary 3
12. Practicing School, Awka
a. Okoye Munachi – Primary 5
The State Principal of SASCI, Rotarian Kingsley Obi, who disclosed this in Awka during their annual scholarship programme, recounted that the beneficiaries were mostly those who found it impossible to pay their tuition fees and other academic levies.
Obi, who is one of the founders of the NGO, added that they were also ready to offer full time scholarship which include tuiting fees, purchase of books, uniforms and others to any of the indigent students who emerges first, second or third positions in their respective classes end of session examinations.
He enumerated some of the schools where the benefitting indigents students hail from as Nnebuzo Primary School, Awka; Igwebuike Primary School, Awka; and Central School, Mbaukwu.
Others were Ikwodiaku Primary School; Union Primary School, Nibo; Sir Herbert Nkwuocha Primary School, Enugu-Ukwu; Obuokpala Primary School, Isiagu; Central School, Amawbia.
He further maintained that the group since its formation in 2020, was purely run through contributions by members, among other supports, but focused on uplifting the children, fighting child abuse, molestation and others with a view to build a better society and leaders of tomorrow.
Also speaking, the sponsor of the 2022 scholarship programme and co-founder of SSCI, Rotarian Paul Anaezeofor, said his ambition was to make the indigent students happy.
"There is blessing from God for what we do. I decided to sponsor this edition to use it to thank God for what He has done and still doing in my life. Those who wish to obtain such blessing should join us. I would have used the money to eat and drink. But what impact could that make in the society?
"We love, care and protect the children who are been molested or abused everyday in the society. We want to help them get justice. We provide lawyers for people for those been molested and victims of child battering. We are ready to welcome both corporate organisations and individuals to achieve more positive results."
On his part, another notable member of the association and the Director, Institute of Theology, Paul's University, Awka, Ven. Dr. Rex Kanu, while thanking the Rotary International for promising to partner them, urged other well-to-do individuals and organisations to invest on children and human capital development.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, promised to offer admission and scholarship to the beneficiaries who would pass their JAMB, even as Rotary Club in his district will assist SASCI in sponsoring more indigent students next year.