Catholic Bishop shares N10m to 85 Anambra indigent students

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By Madu Obi

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor has shared N10.45 million among 85 indigent students from various schools In Anambra State.

Eighty three of the students received N121, 000 each, while two (Maura Dorothy Anozie and Lawrence Chiekezie), described as outstanding, were given N270,600 and N141,400 respectively.

The beneficiaries were drawn from different schools in the three senatorial zones of Anambra State irrespective of their religious or denominational inclinations and faith.

The handover ceremony was performed through the Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) of Awka Diocese in collaboration with a nongovernmental organization, the Help For All (HIFA) Initiative of Austria.

During the cheques presentation, Bishop Ezeokafor urged the beneficiaries to work harder in their academic pursuit, noting that the only meaningful and fastest way they could achieve greatness and attain their full potentials was through access to quality education.

According to the Bishop, without quality education, they may not get to the height they so desired, reminding the students that only the hardworking ones among them would continue to enjoy the tuition fees, while those not serious would be dropped.

He charged the students to take their studies seriously and guard against distractions and anything that could deny them the opportunity of enjoying the largesse and losing track and focus.

The Director of JDPC, Awka Diocese and the chairman Anambra State HIFA Board, Rev Fr Levi Ukor, thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for seeing the need to help indigent people in securing their future through continuous education.

Ukor explained that the exercise for scouting for the indigent students was thorough, adding that the lucky ones were investigated to ascertain all facts before compiling and submitting their names to HIFA Austria before the release of funds.

He urged parents of the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fund, even as he challenged the students to always improve in their academic excellence as it is the only way to appreciate HIFA and the Bishop.