HUMANITY: Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation Offers New Scholarship To 24 Underprivileged Undergraduates, Unveils Foundation’s Secretariat.

To Mark It's 10th anniversary, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation has dished out scholarship to 24 economically underprivileged undergraduates spreading across the entire Southeast Zone. The event was also wrapped with the unveiling of the Foundation's magnificent secretariat at the heart of Enugu metropolitan city.

The Foundation which began as a constituency project in 2013, has produced over 21 graduates across Udenu constituency and has streched to the entire Southeast Zone and  was borne out of Hon. Ezeugwu's passion for education and desire to bring succour to the less privileged. Since its establishment, the Foundation has championed projects such as rehabilitation of schools, scholarship awards, providing shelter for the homeless, women and youths empowerment, as well as providing portable water in communities.

Prof. Malachy Okwueze on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation described Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu as a man who has restored the essence of scholarship schemes in Nigeria by allowing the BOT of the Foundation to function independently.

"I'm  honoured to be called upon to do the opening remarks. When he called me to say that this is maturing into a Foundation, I was very glad to be part of it. All these years that I have known him, dating back to his days in school he has examplified humility, he has examplified simplicity and has personified kindness. I feel very proud to identify with Ikechukwu Ezeugwu and his Foundation. I was also privileged to be among the persons who interviewed the first set of beneficiaries. The scholarship is targeted at  intelligent but less privileged undergraduates . All the people who won the scholarship were people that truly deserved it. The Scholarship program over the years has grown from the local government to senatorial zone to Enugu State and currently Southeast Region and beyond to include Orji Chiamaka Eme from Ohafia, Abia State, Iwuamadi Lucky Ifeanyi from Ikeduru Imo State, Believe Ekwe from Aninri in Enugu State, Nwangwu Chisom Glory from Orumba North in Anambra State, Ogah Peace Onyinyechi from Ikwo in Ebonyi State and Barde Margaret from Nasarawa State among others from his immediate Constituency, Udenu, I also encourage everyone to support those who bring out their resources to help society. Lastly, I appreciate his wife for letting his husband spend their money on others"

While presenting cheques to the beneficiaries, the Leader of Enugu State House of Assembly, encouraged them to maximize the opportunity available to them, urging them to be good ambassadors of their families and the Foundation. He revealed that he will retire from active politics come May, 2023 to pursue his passion in the educational sector.

In his heartwarming remarks, Hon Ikechukwu Ezeugwu expressively stated thus; "My constituency currently is politics but in no distant time, I will be moving over to the students constituency. It can only be God, after  God my parents who instilled hardwork, fear of God, discipline and love for others in myself and my siblings while growing up. When I started the scholarship program, people thought it was just politics but I keep saying, politics or no politics this is where my passion lies. I thank specially Prof. Malachy Okwueze who was instrumental in selecting the first 20 undergraduate beneficiaries  in 2013. We have extended our tentacles to the entire southeast and we look forward to extending it to the entire 36 states of the federation and the FCT.. Yes, if not for anything to remind us as Nigerians that though tribe and tongue may differ in brotherhood we stand. Education is important in the life of every one. When you are educated, you will have self esteem. There are things an educated person cannot do. To my beneficiaries, remember where you are coming from. A good name is better than riches, a man is extremely poor whose only asset is  money and what money can buy. Hasty climbers  make sudden fall. I thank you all for being good students" he concluded.

While unveiling the Secretariat, the Regional Manager of Christ Church of the Later-day Saint Charities, Mr. Charles Adebayo, described Dr. Ezeugwu as a prudent man of resources whose integrity and kindness is beyond measure. He went ahead to thank God for making their paths cross.

In his goodwill messages, one of the beneficiaries and the leader of the scholarship beneficiary group, Dr. Ukwueze Okwudili Jude, appreciated Hon. Ezeugwu for giving him hope, reshaping his focus and purpose in life. He said that without the intervention of the Foundation, his dream of becoming a medical doctor would not have been realised. "I have lost every hope of going to school let alone studying Medicine until God sent Hon. Ezeugwu. I stand before you as a testimony and to reveal to you all that I am now a medical doctor and will be travelling to the United States soon to continue my postgraduate studies under a 50/50 scholarship arrangement between Kaplan Medicals of USA and IkechukwuEzeugwu Foundation of Nigeria. Hon Ezeugwu is a God sent to my family and humanity at large.

The Foundation according to Hon Ezeugwu will in the nearest future, accommodate selected undergraduates from the entire thirty-six states of Nigeria and the FCT. 

Also present to grace the event were the Deputy Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Uche Ugwu, the Honourable Commissioner, Lands and Urban Development, Hon. Nnayelugo Chidi Aroh, the Deputy Leader ENHA, Hon. Onyinye Ugwu, member representing Nsukka West Constituency, Hon Dr  Emmanuel Ugwuerua, member representing Igbo-Etiti constituency, Hon. Ezenta Ezeani, Regional Manager Zenith bank, Mrs. Nnoli Nnaji, representatives from Ecobank and Fidelity bank, CAN Chairman Enugu Chapter, Reverend Edeh, Reverend Charles Aneke, many serving and past legislators and top government functionaries and traditional rulers.