Smiles as 670 Nigerian students receive N1b scholarship awards from a Foundation

By Our Correspondent

SIX hundred and seventy students and their parents from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, were all smiles as they assembled at the magnificent International Convention Center, Awka on Friday for the N1 billion scholarship awards instituted by the I.G Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation.
The scholarship covers from the primary school to the university level.

The Friday’s award ceremony had additional 250 students drawn from secondary schools, tertiary institutions and Schools of Nursing who, the Foundation said, had demonstrated remarkable dedication to their studies and a profound commitment to their personal growth and development, while ensuring that they keep faith in their desire for better education.

The ceremony coincided with the 3rd education seminar and 5th phase of the event.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Gloria Abanihe said in addition to the scholarships, the Foundation places a large number of indigent people on monthly stipend and pays hospital bills for several needy persons.

She said: “The IG Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation was established with clear vision, which is to bridge the educational gap and provide opportunities for talented and deserving students to achieve their dreams.

“We firmly believe that education is the corner stone of a prosperous and equitable society. It is the key that unlocks the door to a brighter future, not just for individuals, but for the entire communities and our nation at large.

“Our Foundation’s mission had always been driven by the core values of excellence, integrity, equality and service to humanity.

“The scholarship programme is more than just financial award; it is an investment for the future. By providing these scholarships, we are not only alleviating the financial burden on deserving students and their families, but we are also encouraging a culture of academic rigor, perseverance and community service.

“Our scholars are chosen not just for their academic achievements, but for their character, resoluteness and their potential to become change makers in society.
” As we look ahead, we are filled with optimism and determination. We are committed to scaling up our efforts, reaching more students and creating more opportunities for educational advancement in Nigeria.

” The challenges are enormous, but we are resolute in our belief that with the continued support of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the sky is our limit”.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Miss Faith Mazi said the scholarship is not a financial aid to them, but a beacon of hope, a pathway to realizing their dreams and a testament to the power of compassion and community support.

“For many of us, this scholarship has removed a significant burden. The current economic challenges in Nigeria have made it difficult for many families to afford quality education.

” If not for this scholarship, many of us would have faced tremendous obstacles in securing our school fees, textbooks and essential resources needed for our studies. The scholarship has given us the opportunity to pursue our academic goals without constant worry of financial constraints,” she said.