Foundation Doles Out Scholarships, Cash To Motivate Students In Anambra State

 

The Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Awka and Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) in collaboration with Dr Chinedu Umeadi Foundation on Wednesday, motivated and rewarded students from various secondary schools in Anambra State.

 

At the fourth edition of the Science Quiz award ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, emphasised that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

 

He noted that when you nurture the mind at a young age it tends to produce reproductive and effective people who will in return enhance development. This is the magic behind developed countries where they use science and technology to improve the students.

 

Esimone stated that what our students represent for us today is the future we are beholding. “If you want to talk about tomorrow, we cannot play with you, you represent the lofty idea, establishing them to be productive members of the society in the near future. So we have to invest in you and so we keep thanking Dr Umeadi for instituting this ICT quiz competition and awards.”

Professor Esimone who was the Chairman of the event encouraged students to always study with passion, utilise every opportunity given to them and strive to be the best. He also urged the students, teachers, and principals to take charge because to whom much is given much is expected.

“Your awards are stepping stones to a better future. We want to hear your names grow and make the nation proud.”

 

The special guest of honour, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, his Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, affirmed that body and soul must be cared for to attain a balanced personality and while students study science and technology in school, they should know that “we are humans created in the image of God, we notice that some of our young boys and girls are not disciplined and so we encourage our parents, teachers to ensure that good morals are inculcated in our children. I want you to always place God first in your lives which will help you study well and contend with life challenges.”

 

The Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chinedu Umeadi Foundation and Sponsor, the 4th edition of the CBT Science Quiz, Dr. Chinedu Umeadi, a Canadian-based medical doctor, the science quiz competitions across Africa is with the “aim of stimulating students across the African continent to improve their knowledge base in different subjects.” He stated that the foundation gives prizes to the best schools and awards scholarships to the best students from the quiz competitions.

 

Dr. Umeadi explained that there are also structured scholarship programmes for university entrance examinations, and noted that the day was meant to celebrate the award-winning students and schools and urged them to sustain the feat they have achieved so far.

Umeadi, who affirmed to continue supporting the educational foundations of young citizens, called on his Lordship, Bishop Ezeokafor to henceforth appoint 5 students and the Vice Chancellor of Unizik, 2 students who will benefit from the educational scholarship of the foundation.

 

On his part, the Director of Science and Technology PPSSC, Awka, Mr Anereobi Ephraim Jekwu, noted that Dr Umeadi’s dynamic and visionary ideas have completely changed the face of Education in the state. He appreciated the foundation for creative and charismatic methods of using advanced program software, Computer Based Test (CBT) for this year’s competition which helps to elevate the student’s intelligence quotient in ICT globally.

 

However, a member representing Njikoka 11 constituency at the State House of Assembly and Deputy majority leader, Jude Akpua lauded the sponsor, and directors of educational agencies and prayed that God will continue to bless them. He noted that irrespective of his constituency, Chinedu Umeadi took the lead to encourage and reward students irrespective of their school or constituency, adding that the quiz competition is in line with Governor Soludo’s Administration agenda.

 

Concerning the contestants, Miss Arinze Esther of Maria Regina Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School, Nnewi was the overall winner in the junior secondary school category and went home with two hundred thousand naira cash, while Mr. EzeJames Chinedu Daniel of Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS),Onitsha, was the overall best in the senior secondary school category and smiled home with three hundred thousand naira cash.

 

Cash prizes were also awarded to students who took second to sixth positions in both junior and senior secondary categories.

The students were automatically inducted as Members of Ambassador, DCU Foundation.

 

Meanwhile, a total of 217 public secondary schools made up of about ten mission schools and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) High school Awka, featured in both junior and senior competitions from the zonal level to the state level.

The students prayed to God to bless Dr. Umeadi for his benevolence.

 

Best teachers and schools were also rewarded.

The event which was held at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra state, attracted students, teachers, principals, officials of Anambra State Post Primary School Service Commission, and the clergy, among others.

 

Dominica Nwabufo