The ambition of a house-help, Ms. Nama Hope Chidera, to acquire a university education has received a significant boost as an Awka-based private security proprietor awarded her and three other indigent individuals university scholarships.
The other beneficiaries are Okonkwo Johnson, Alieze Samson, and David Emmanuel.
Their benefactor, proprietor of Blue Shield Security Company Limited, Ozo Jeff Nweke, announced the scholarships at his company’s headquarters in Awka. He promised to undertake the payment of their school fees and personal upkeep until they complete their studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra State.
For a start, Ozo Nweke distributed a total sum of N4.5 million to them, with each beneficiary receiving amounts varying between N1 million and N1.5 million. He told them that the amount was to cover their registration fees and personal upkeep for their first three months at the university.
The security boss charged them to be hard-working and to exhibit high moral standards, abstain from cultism, and other social vices that could ruin their careers.
He advised them, saying, “Any wealthy person or accomplished person you see passed through challenges and made sacrifices to be where he or she is. You have the potential of great achievers, but if you do not work hard to maximise those potentials in you, they will all perish in you,” he said.
While Ngama hails from Ebonyi State; Alieze is an indigene of Imo State; Okonkwo and David are natives of Anambra State.
Shedding tears of joy, Ngama expressed gratitude to Ozo Nweke, describing him as the angel God sent to assist her in realising her most desired life ambition. She narrated her struggles in pursuing modern education, stating that she started funding her education from primary three through hair braiding.
“This (scholarship) is a major breakthrough for me. It’s a major push because I never knew that I was going to further my education. This is just the only hope I have to fulfil my aspiration to attain a university degree,” she stated.
She prayed to God to reward Ozo Nweke in an unprecedented way, describing him as “our life saver, destiny helper, an Angel in disguise.”
While Ngama was admitted into the university to read English Language and Literary Studies; Okonkwo to study Statistics; Alieze was offered admission to study Education Management and Policy, and David was offered Philosophy.
Also reacting to the gesture, Okonkwo, Alieze, and David praised their benefactor for his act of philanthropy and prayed to God to reward him with sound health and never to let his pocket run dry.
Director of the education scholarship scheme, Mr. Ikechukwu Chinweze, disclosed that Ozo Nweke has spent about N100 million funding the scheme since its inception, and that the scheme is strictly targeted at indigents.
