….as best graduating students receive financial support   

By Gabriel Ewepu, Abuja

THE Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Foundation has registered over 1000 indigent students for next secession West African Examination Council’s Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, in the two Local Government Areas that make up Isiukwuato Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

The benefiting students who were drawn across all the public schools and selected private schools in the area, received cheques covering the examination fees and other associated costs were presented to them during a ceremony held at Imunneochi.

This year’s event marked the fourth of the category done by the Foundation, and also the latest of Hon. Onyejeocha’s education interventions in over a decade as a community-based charity organisation.

The gesture, which has helped thousands of indigent children and families who could not afford the cost of enrollment for the external examination has become one of the yearly events the Foundation is known for.

This year, the Foundation paid for WAEC fee for over 1000 students worth millions of Naira as back-to-school support across her constituency.

Apart from educational intervention, the Foundation which annually embarked on free medical care for citizens of the state and beyond as part of Hon. Onyejeocha’s commitment to humanity has continued to provide succour for the people of Isiukwuato-Umunneochi Federal Constituency.

Meanwhile, speaking at the cheque-presentation ceremony, Hon. Onyejeocha said the gesture was a fulfillment of her lifelong dream to prioritize education as a result of her experience growing up under a humble background.

The federal lawmaker also announced plans to give financial support to the best graduating students among the beneficiaries to stabilize them in their first year in higher institutions.

She said her dream is to see every child in her community have access to education no matter the circumstances, and it has continued to inspire her to take the scheme to the next level.

She said: “I use this very opportunity to thank Dr Ojukwu for working tirelessly to keep this project going and for being someone who is helping me to fulfill my dream to provide education to our people.

“I thank the principals of various secondary schools. I want to congratulate you for being part of the history. Many students have passed their WAEC courtesy of this gesture. People who couldn’t have had the opportunity to register for WAEC have participated in this and have come through.”

While urging the beneficiaries to take their studies serious to meet up with the basic requirements to guarantee their administration into higher institutions, the lawmaker promised to reward the best graduating students with a starter package to enable them settle in their first year in the university.

“To add to what we are offering, I will offer best graduating or best performed students in WAEC across Isuikwuato-Umunneochi Federal Constituency some money to take care of their first year tuition fee in the university.

“This became necessary, because sometimes you may have your WAEC and JAMB ready but you cannot afford the cost and maybe your school fee and sometimes, it happens to people who are very brilliant.

“That is why I started with indigent students even before I became a Commissioner. I was already sponsoring indigents students in tertiary institutions. I can boast that some of them are gainfully employed. So to push the education level to the next level, I am offering this support”, she stated.

Speaking earlier at the ceremony, the Coordinator of the scheme, Dr Felix Ojukwu, implored the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity and make their family and the sponsor proud.

“I implore you to utilize this opportunity to make yourself great. We are wishing you goodluck and success in your forthcoming examination.

“I believe that your contributions to the success of this programme shall never be in vain. I believe that with the support of your parents, your own personal support and support from family members and with your prayers for the Foundation, this programme will continue so that others will benefit after you”, Ojukwu said.