Philanthropist gives scholarship to indigent students of his Alma Mater

It was an occasion that looks to recognize and celebrate academic excellence over trendy accomplishments, as an alumnus of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Dr Godwin Oziele handed out the sum of fifty thousand naira each as educational scholarship to ten indigent students of the institution.

Ozeiele, who was the best graduating student of Estate Management Department of the school, 2009/2010 session, also gave an award of N100,000 to the best graduating student of the institution.

The scholarship was handed over during the official inauguration of the Godwin Oziele Annual Awards to the best-graduating student of each department and institution of scholarship scheme to ten students of the institution. It was held at the school’s auditorium, located at her permanent site.

Prior to the awards presentation, Dr Oziele, who is the Managing Director of Gasvine Properties, had paid a courtesy visit to the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Chukwujekwu Ubaka, in his office at the institution’s administrative block.

Speaking during the visit, Oziele revealed that though his company has been into various humanitarian and philanthropic activities, he had waited for an opportunity to give back to the institution that helped his early formation in life, which was the foundation for his breakthrough.

“As a President of Christ Ambassadors Students’ Outreach, CASOR, I found out that some members do not have money to pay for their school fees, while many others are battling to feed while in school.

“This was what inspired me to decide to invest in this regard.

“We have also been taken around the school and we are hopeful that we can always assist the much we can in the areas we have the capacity,” he said.

Responding, the rector, Dr Ubaka commended Dr Oziele for his efforts at giving back to the society that made him, insisting that the polytechnic has been a veritable platform for grooming notable citizens and rewarding service to mankind while calling on other alumni of the school to emulate Dr Oziele.

Presenting the educational scholarship later, Dr Oziele encouraged students of the institution that the polytechnic is sufficient to give them the best foundation needed to compete favorably in life.

He made it clear that the award was not a way to draw attention or attract vain glory, explaining that at Gasvine Properties Limited, they understand that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a way of giving back to society and contributing one’s quota to making the society a better place.

According to him, the awards will now be an annual event, which will also be expanded as resources permit.

“Since the inception of Gasvine Properties Limited, we have undertaken several CSRs, and it has become our corporate culture.

“In a world where entertainment, sports, etc., have been prioritized, we believe that quality education still remains the surest foundation for one to fulfill destiny in grand style.

“This is why we choose these awards of excellence and youth empowerment over the things that seem trendy and popular to the young ones,” he said.

The real estate guru explained that his company, Gasvine Properties Limited, is a registered real estate development company in Nigeria, with a vision to become one of the leading real estate companies in Nigeria.

In his words, “In our six years of existence, we have been able to make many Nigerians become landlords and landladies. One event stood out for me, when a widow, who is a petty trader came in tears of joy to appreciate the company for making her a landlady in one of our estates. This is what GASVINE stands for and our records over these years are worthy testimonies for us.

“We have 10 developing estates in various states in Nigeria. We have in Enugwu Agidi, here in Anambra State, at Asaba Delta State, at Imo State, Lagos State, Ogun State etc.

“Our drive is to ensure that all Nigerians, despite income class or status, become proud landlords.

“This is why we introduced very flexible payment plans that can allow even students to invest in real estate.

“We have GASVINE PROPERTIES LTD, which takes care of housing provisions/accommodations.

“We have GASVINE CONSTRUCTIONS LTD that handles our Construction Works, and we also have Godwin Oziele & Company, a professional Estate Surveyors and Valuers firm that takes care of all real estate services.”

For her part, the Managing Director of Masters Energy Properties, a subsidiary of Master Energy Oil and Gas, ESV Ebele Igwe, who is also an alumnus of the school, while commending the efforts of Dr Oziele, promised to support the institution with the renovation of some facilities in the Estate Management Department.

In their separate remarks, the Institution’s Students Union Government President, Comrade Kingsley Ogbu, and some of the beneficiaries of the scholarship, Nnanwuba Chukwudum, Hyacinth Nnaemeka, and Chioma Okoro extolled the efforts of the philanthropist, noting that it has the capacity to ignite fresh hunger among the students, to strive for academic excellence.