Emma Elekwa
A global philanthropic organization, De Imperial Philanthropic Family (DIPF) has presented 25 undergraduates from the five Southeast States of Nigeria, with cheque of N1 million each.
The beneficiaries were top performers in the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB examinations, who have secured admission in various universities in the country.
They emerged from a thorough process involving over 1000 applicants, conducted by Best Brain Contest, a popular brand in the educational scholarship ecosystem.
The award ceremony took place on Thursday in Awka, with the parents of the beneficiaries, as well as members and friends of the philanthropic family in attendance.
Presenting the cheques, the DIPF President, Chief Darlington Nwabunike said the gesture was in line with the group’s vision to end the problem of obstructed educational pursuits occasioned by financial incapacitation.
He revealed that the Family currently has 1,012 beneficiaries from the Southeast region under its scholarship programme, hinting plans to make the programme a national outreach.
Describing the gesture as demonstration of the group’s belief that through aggressive support for vibrant and qualitative education, Nwabunike said Southeast can recharge its human capital resource for meaningful growth and development.
Capacity strengthening
He said the organization focuses on strengthening the capacity matrix of teachers through world-class, high-tech professional exposures.
“In due course, we will avail teachers across the Southeast region of certified programmes of self and skill development.
“I appreciate the commitment of the global membership of De Imperial Philanthropic Family for their sacrifice that saw this vision to reality.
“I also appeal to the social and political leadership across jurisdictions in the Southeast to prioritize quality education as an elixir for a meaningful future for our youths.”
Chairman of the Education Committee, Chief Chikezie Okonkwo said the beneficiaries were able to make it through discipline, resilience and exceptional performance and the subsequent diligent assessment of the DIPF.
While commending the initiative, which he attributed to commitment of the Family’s leadership to youth development and educational advancement, Okonkwo urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by utilizing the opportunity.
“You owe a duty to yourselves and your benefactors, to make utmost use of the opportunity. This scholarship is not for celebration. Rather, it is a responsibility for the beneficiaries.
Ambassadors of excellence
“You all are now ambassadors of excellence, discipline and integrity; we expect you to remain focused, uphold the values of hard-work and use this opportunity to positively impact your families, communities and the nation at large,” he added.
Education C’ttee boss also appreciated the Best Brain Contest for the professionalism and transparency displayed in coordinating the scholarship examination and selection process.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the Best Brain Contest, Dr Frank Igbojindu encouraged other hi-networth individuals in the Southeast to emulate the strides of the DIPF, in prioritizing education, rewarding merit and inspiring the future generation.
“The partnership with the DIPF, with membership consisting of wealthy personalities from the five Southeast States, has been quite exemplary in providing succour for young people looking for support to prosecute their academic pursuit,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Lifted Emefiena, who scored 298 in JAMB and applied to study Medicine and Surgery at the Abia State University, thanked the philanthropic organization for the gesture, vowing to repay with hard-work and good grades.
Other beneficiaries including Amarachi Okebugwu and Ifeanyi Praise said the scholarship has lifted huge financial burden off their sponsors, praying God to reward their benefactors.
Highpoint of the event was presentation of cheques and certificate of award as the Family’s ambassadors to the beneficiaries and their parents.
