By Lucy
An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chief Ikenna Okafor, has awarded scholarships to over 200 indigenes and non-indigenes of Akwaeze community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra.
The scholarships were disbursed through the ‘Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabuo Foundation’, a charity organisation founded by Okafor, Chairman of Keves Global Leasing Ltd., in honour of his late father, Chief Paulinus Okafor.
The annual programme benefitted 41 primary school pupils, 57 secondary school students and more than 100 students of tertiary institutions, including public and private universities as well as seminaries.
Primary school pupils received N40,000 each, secondary school students N80,000 each, while beneficiaries in tertiary institutions got between N400,000 and N1 million.
In addition, widows, widowers, the visually impaired and persons living with sickle cell disorder, also benefitted, while pregnant women and other residents received free healthcare services.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary of the foundation, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Ezeoke, said the initiative, now in its 20th year, had continued to expand in scope and impact.
Ezeoke commended the Okafor family for their sustained commitment to supporting the poor and less privileged in the community.
Okafor, in an interview with journalists, said the scholarship scheme was aimed at sustaining his father’s legacy and empowering the community through education.
He said the foundation had also expanded into agriculture and healthcare, with the goal of reducing illiteracy, improving livelihoods and easing the burdens of residents.
“In Akwaeze, we want to liberate the people from illiteracy. If healthcare, education and food are available, the people will be freed from many of their struggles,” Okafor said.
