By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Engineer Sir G. C. Obinabo Foundation, Friday, said it has offered ₦200 million worth scholarships to not less than 300 students and pupils from within and outside Anambra State in ten years.
The founder, Sir G. C. Obinabo, who revealed this at presentation of empowerment to deserving beneficiaries at Ifitedunu Community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra state, said they dwelt much on assisting indigent undergraduates from both polytechnics and universities.
" As you all know, this is a yearly event to mark my birthday which was 30th September ten years ago. Since the inception of this Scholarship Scheme, we focused solely on assisting indigent undergraduates from both Polytechnics and Universities. We have progressed from a humble beginning and expanded to what you are witnessing here today," he added.
Obinabo added that he was not into the foundation because of excess money but just to assist some undergraduates educationally, noting that some of them after graduation were assisted to secure jobs and currently assisting others.
"Today we have about 31 students who are benefiting from this foundation and to know how many that have so far benefited, we take it this way , for the first five years , 15 people each year and from five years till date, let's say 41 students for each year, then you can get an approximate number of people that have benefited to be around 300 persons.
"Some have travelled outside the country and I get them connected to the scholarship foundation abroad and I am impressed with their performance. This foundation has so far spent approximately #200 million empowering our youths to get good and quality education" he said.
Meanwhile, the former member, Federal House of Representatives and Anambra Central Senatorial District candidate for the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA), Hon Dozie Nwankwo has promised to sustain formal and vocational educational empowerment across the seven local government areas of the District.
Nwankwo, who disclosed this in a speech at the empowerment programme, recalled how was able to empower greater number of students and pupils during his time at the green chamber, and would top it once elected into the Senate.
"Education is the key to our secured future and the best a society can offer to it's younger generation and secure the future of the country. I have been part of this foundation since inception and I am here to also contribute in my own modest way to the empowerment of the younger generation in Ifitedunu and Anambra Central Senatorial District at large," he maintained.
In her remarks, one of the beneficiaries,
Miss Chinelo Agamba, said the scholarship foundation has been of great assistance to both the tertiary students, primary and nursery pupils, adding that even some handicapped got some bites.
" I started benefiting from this scholarship Programme right from my second year in the school, University of Nigeria, Nssukka, where I read Biology, till my final year. It's not easy for someone to bring out money to support total strangers without any expectation.
" I pray that God will keep him alive so that he will continue the good work for others to equally benefit. Being rich is one thing and being generous is another thing, so, I urge some of these rich people in our society to also partake in helping others that really
deserve help." She stated.