The Gloria Foundation, a non-governmental organisation has been relaunched in Anambra to focus on women empowerment, with scholarship awards to 10 underprivileged female university students.
The foundation, originally established in 2018, is dedicated to supporting young women through education, mentorship and social support initiatives aimed at nurturing future leaders and promoting gender inclusion.
The daughter of Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Adaora Soludo while speaking during the scholarship presentation ceremony said the initiative was created to give hope and encouragement to young girls facing financial and social challenges in pursuing higher education.
“One of the reasons the Gloria Foundation exists is to create hope, inspire confidence and support young people, especially girls, in pursuing education and becoming the best version of themselves,” she said.
The organisation, founded in memory of the late Gloria Uzomaka Ezenwanne, described by the foundation as an educator, disciplinarian and social advocate whose legacy inspired the project’s focus on education and women empowerment.
The scholarship programme forms part of the foundation’s Education Support Scheme, which provides full tuition assistance to students from low-income households.
Adaora Soludo said her personal experiences had taught her that many young people only require encouragement and someone willing to believe in their potential in order to succeed academically and socially.
She described the scholarships as symbols of hope and opportunity, noting that sanitary pads distributed to beneficiaries during the event were intended to promote menstrual dignity and reinforce the message that no girl should feel less confident because of a natural part of womanhood.
Strengthen their Commitment
Beneficiaries of the programme, including Oluchi Okeke, Grace Okonkwo and Amarachi Ezeukwu, expressed appreciation for the support, saying the scholarships would ease financial pressures and strengthen their commitment to academic success.
The students commended the foundation for what they described as a practical intervention that could positively influence the future of young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Education advocates say scholarship programmes targeted at female students remain critical in expanding access to higher education for young women in low-income communities, particularly amid rising tuition costs and economic pressures affecting families across the country.
