An Austria-based Foundation, Help For All (HIFA), through Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Catholic Diocese of Awka, has offered the sum of 10 million naira scholarship to 85 indigent students across all denominations in Anambra State.
Presenting the money via electronic transfer to the beneficiaries at JDPC, Awka Diocese Secretariat domiciled inside St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, on Saturday, the Director of JDPC, Awka Diocese and the Chairman, Anambra State HIFA Board, Rev. Fr. Levi Ukor, said that they worked in partnership with HIFA Austria, noting that the organisation was formed and funded by retired teachers in Austria.
He announced that each beneficiary will be given a sum of N121,000.
According to Rev. Fr. Ukor, they scout for indigent students yearly after which the lucky ones would be thoroughly investigated to ascertain all facts before compiling and submitting their names to HIFA Austria for onward release of funds.
He said the programme was an annual event and that many indigent students and gifted children had been saved and empowered through the Foundation.
Rev. Fr. Ukor who said that the Organisation was Co-founded by Adolf Pester and Rev. Fr. Aaron Ekwu (Late) noted that it was designed basically to cater for the poor in society and also help in closing the gap in infrastructure and other areas of life.
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He noted that HIFA Austria was already in 6 states in Nigeria and had been carrying out back-to-back humanitarian services.
He informed the press that the students were drawn from different schools across the 21 local government areas of the State not minding their religious or denominational inclinations and faith, saying that some were picked from schools in Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha, Ekwulobia and Orumba, among others, adding that the beneficiaries were gotten through the applications submitted during their monthly meetings by their parents/guardians.
The Director of JDPC, Awka Diocese thanked the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, for his continued fatherly love and care as well as for the opportunity given to him to serve in that capacity, appreciating God for the gift of the Local Ordinary.
Fr. Ukor equally thanked his team members, saying that they had been nice to him, even as exhorted the students to make adequate use of the money given to them.
In their separate admonitions, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, represented by Education Secretary, Awka Diocese, Rev. Fr Maximus Okonkwo and the Chairman of JDPC, Awka Diocese, Hon. Paulinus Adinuba, urged the beneficiaries to guard jealously and judiciously the gesture and also shun acts capable of ruining their future.
Some of the beneficiary students, Kizito Ebele, Onwuka Chikerem Pamela, and Chikezie Lawrence while appreciating the foundation, and the Catholic Diocese of Awka for the support, promised to make good use of the fund for the purpose provided for.