300 Students Benefit as Obinabo Foundation Invests N200m in Education
300 Students Benefit as Obinabo Foundation Invests N200m in Education
About 300 students and pupils have so far benefited from the Engr. Sir G.C. Obinabo Educational Foundation in Ifitedunu Community, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, with the foundation investing approximately N200 million in educational support over the past 10 years.
The beneficiaries, drawn from tertiary institutions as well as primary and nursery schools, have received scholarships and other forms of educational assistance aimed at helping indigent students pursue their education.
The development comes as a former member of the Federal House of Representatives and Anambra Central Senatorial District candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Dozie Nwankwo, pledged to sustain formal and vocational education empowerment across the seven local government areas of the senatorial district if elected.
Speaking during the presentation of educational empowerment to beneficiaries as part of activities marking his birthday, Obinabo said the scholarship initiative, which began 10 years ago, was established to assist students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
According to him, the annual programme was initially focused on indigent undergraduates in universities and polytechnics but has since expanded to accommodate more beneficiaries.
He said: “As you all know, this is a yearly event to mark my birthday, which was on September 30, 10 years ago.
“Since the inception of this scholarship scheme, we have focused solely on assisting indigent undergraduates from both polytechnics and universities.
“We have progressed from a humble beginning and expanded to what you are witnessing here today.”he said.
Obinabo explained that his decision to sustain the foundation was not because he had excess money, but because he believed that even a modest contribution could make a significant difference in the lives and educational pursuits of young people.
He said: “I am not into this foundation because I have excess money. I am still searching and I still lack, but I believe that this little gesture can assist some undergraduates educationally.”
Giving an insight into the number of beneficiaries, Obinabo said about 31 students were currently receiving support from the foundation, while approximately 300 people had benefited since the programme began.
He explained that during the first five years, about 15 students were supported annually, while the number increased substantially in subsequent years.
“Today, we have about 31 students who are benefiting from this foundation. To know how many have so far benefited, we take it this way: for the first five years, we supported 15 people each year, and from five years till date, let’s say 41 students each year. Then you can get an approximate number of people who have benefited to be around 300 persons,” he said.
According to him, the foundation’s support does not end with graduation, as efforts are also made to assist beneficiaries in securing employment through available connections and opportunities.
He said many former beneficiaries had secured jobs, while some had travelled abroad and were connected to scholarship foundations in other countries.
“Even after graduation, we also assist in getting jobs for them through my connections, and many have gotten jobs. Twenty-three are helping more of them.
“Some have travelled outside the country, and I get them connected to scholarship foundations abroad. I am impressed with their performance.
“This foundation has so far spent approximately N200 million empowering our youths to get good and quality education,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Nwankwo said education remained a critical investment in the future of young people and society, recalling that he had supported students and pupils during his tenure at the Federal House of Representatives.
He pledged that, if elected to represent Anambra Central Senatorial District in the Senate, he would prioritise both formal and vocational education as part of his empowerment agenda across the seven local government areas of the district.
“Education is the key to our secured future and the best a society can offer its younger generation to secure the future of the country.
“I have been part of this foundation since its inception, and I am here to also contribute in my own modest way to the empowerment of the younger generation in Ifitedunu and Anambra Central Senatorial District at large,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Chinelo Agamba, described the foundation as a major source of support for students and pupils who might otherwise struggle to complete their education.
Agamba said she personally benefited from the scholarship from her second year until her final year at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she studied Biology.
She also noted that the foundation had extended its support beyond tertiary students to primary and nursery pupils, as well as some persons living with disabilities.
“I started benefiting from this scholarship programme right from my second year at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I studied Biology, until my final year.
“It is not easy for someone to bring out money to support total strangers without expecting anything in return.
“I pray that God will keep him alive so that he will continue the good work and allow others to benefit as well.
“Being rich is one thing, and being generous is another thing. So, I urge some of these rich people in our society to also participate in helping others who genuinely deserve assistance,” she stated.
