Catholic Diocese Of Awka Doles Out N10m To 81 Indigent Students
The Catholic Diocese of Awka has paid tuition for no fewer than 81 students across denominations in Anambra.
The Diocese made the donation through Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) and Help For All (HIFA) Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation at St. Patrick Cathedral in Awka on Tuesday.
HIFA Anambra is an offshoot of HIFA Austria, one of the oldest NGOs in the world with presence in about six states in Nigeria and Anambra as the headquarters.
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Revd Paulinus Ezeokafor presented the cheques to beneficiaries amidst joy from parents and guardians.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who was represented by the Education Secretary of Awka Diocese, Rev. Fr. Maximus Okonkwo thanked HIFA for their support.
He narrated the story of how one of his classmates, who was a beneficiary of the HIFA Scholarship, had become a a Catholic priest working in the United States of America.
He called on other well-meaning individuals, initiatives, and foundations to learn from HIFA and come to the aid of the needy in society.
“The importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering future generations can not be overemphasised,” he said.
Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Levi Ukor, the Director Justice Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC in Awka Diocese and Chairman of HIFA Board in Anambra State, commended HIFA for their continued support for the less privileged.
Ukor said HIFA had been consistent with this scholarship for the past 25 years and still counting.
Some of the beneficiaries of the scholarship, who spoke at the ceremony, expressed their gratitude to HIFA and JDPC for giving them hope to pursue their educational dreams.
Okoye Valentine, an SS 2 Student of St. Mary’s College, Awka, Onwukachi Ekere Fustina, SS 1 Student of Fr Tansi Memorial Secondary School, Akpu, and Ifechukwu Sophia, a final year student, were among those who spoke.
Other beneficiaries, including Oluebube Anosike, a basic 3 student of Handmaid Infant Jesus Nursery and Primary School, Awka, and Vincent Chinualumogu also thanked HIFA for their kindness.
They promised to make HIFA proud by working hard and achieving academic excellence.
Mr. Anthony Mary Chiwendu Okparanwa, an indigene of Achina in Anambra State, was visibly emotional as he expressed his gratitude to HIFA.
“If not for HIFA, I wonder what would have become of my children’s education,” he said.
“Two of my children are beneficiaries of this scholarship, and I’m forever grateful to HIFA for their kindness.”
Mr PC Adinuba, the Chairman of JDPC in Awka, thanked HIFA for their benevolence and encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunity.
He said one astonishing thing about this scholarship is the fact that HIFA does not know the students, and the students also do not know HIFA.
