By Patrick Ochei
The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fidelity Fortune Group of Companies, Prince Ibe Ozoma has given scholarship awards to 18 undergraduates of Issele-Uku origin to the tune of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (#200,000.00) each to the beneficiaries, amounting to #3.6 million.
The US and Nigerian based philanthropist also gave a consolation sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (#50,000.00) each to eight others who participated in the selection exam but didn’t pass, insisting there was no way he could have left them empty handed without encouraging them to do better next time.
Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries from different higher institutions of learning, Prince Ozoma revealed that he asked God earlier in life, that if He gave him power to overcome poverty, he would be an instrument of help to people, especially those struggling to create their own paths in life.
He said apart from his regular four years scholarship to new university entrants up to graduation, he instituted this special scholarship in commemoration of Agbogidi Obi Nduka’s coronation anniversary, which is 29th every December.
Ozoma urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate his gestures by remembering to give back to society when they start making it in life.
According to him, the screening of enrollees in the coming year would be stricter in order to ensure that every applicant produces evidence of studentship as a paramount criteria.
While feeling sad about the current state of education in Nigeria, he advised parents to always ensure to visit their children at school to ascertain if they are actually there and studying too.
In appreciation of the immense contribution of Prince Ibe Ozoma to the human capital development of Issele-Uku people, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka commended him for having a scholarship in his honour and using it to mark his anniversary.
Obi Nduka prayed for Ozoma, asking God and the Ancestors of Issele-Uku to keep blessing him to remain relevant in all spheres of human endeavour for the benefit of humanity.
He challenged the beneficiaries to imbibe the attitude of gratitude whenever they remember that the scholarship was sponsored by somebody who meant well for them and by extension, the community.
Happy that majority of the beneficiaries understood Issele-Uku dialect, Obi Nduka urged them to try to help somebody in future, knowing that they were helped at a point in their lives.
His words, “It is good for the helped to know that he was helped. This scholarship award is as a result of sincere passion for the growth of humanity and community development.
“Prince Ibe Ozoma has narrated to us how he sponsored somebody through school about 25 years ago, and the person is doing well in life but nowhere to be found with regards to being a contributor to the development of others and the community even without showing gratitude to his source of bright life.
“You must be proud that you are from Issele-Uku. You must realise that you have been helped. You must also endeavour to help others in future. When you are helped in life, you in turn become an instrument of help to others going forward. That way, we have more people supporting the development of our people and the growth of our community.
“Once again, I beg you to please, use the money given wisely to advance your education. Congratulations”, Obi Nduka advised.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries, starting with the overall best in the exam, Miss Nwosu Isioma Excel.
The cheques were presented by Obi Nduka, Chief Dominic Egbune (Anya Obi of Issele-Uku), Prince Ibe Ozoma (the benefactor) and Ogbelani Diokpa Isimchei Okonkwo, with series of goodwill messages from Issele-Uku Development Union, IDU National President, Mr. Ofordile Ugeh, Issele-Uku Progressive Youth Association (IPYA) Abuja Chapter, Mr. Felix Okolie, Diokpa Jebose Adigwe, etc.
The event which held at the Multipurpose Royal Hall inside the Issele-Uku Royal Palace, was attended by the village heads led by the Ogbelani Issei, Diokpa Isimchei Okonkwo, the chiefs, illustrious sons and daughters of Issele-Uku, including Mr. Henry Unobukwu, Prince Mike Akeh, and others too numerous to mention.
The Prince Ibe Ozoma Foundation has been in the business of giving scholarships over 25 years ago. For this particular edition which is attached to the coronation anniversaries of Agbogidi Obi Nduka, the Screening/Nomination Committee was headed by a Federal Director with the Teachers Registration Council and wife of the PG of IDU, Mrs. Ofordile Ugeh.
