It was a celebration galore last Friday as Dr. Chioma Awuzie Foundation (DCAF), a non-governmental organization, offered scholarships to 17 indigent students selected from public tertiary institutions in Anambra State.
The foundation also shared food items and other gifts worth over N10 Million to students and other indigent persons as part of its 2024 edition of scholarship award and charity initiative.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the the main auditorium of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, DCAF founder and chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Chioma Awuzie, further disclosed that the foundation had plan to expand the scholarship to other indigent students across Nigeria.
She listed other areas the foundation had tirelessly touched lives to include health and medical support, community care and charity programmes, youth empowerment and women development as well as pregnancy/childbirth palliatives.
“DCAF has continued to champion enhanced access to higher education, access to healthcare delivery via medical outreach, and community support, benefiting indigent students, pregnant women, widows, the needy, the elderly, inmates of correctional centers, youth, and women across in our society.
“Today, DCAF, in commemoration of my 51st Birthday Anniversary, will award one-off scholarships to 17 selected indigent students from public tertiary education institutions in Anambra State and celebrate the collective impact of our charitable endeavours.”
According to Awuzie, DCAF was established and incorporated in 2021 with a clear vision of creating a platform that empowers the youth, uplifts women, and supports the less privileged in our society.
“Our mission is rooted in the belief that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their community.
“DCAF was set up to encourage and support an egalitarian society that works towards enhancing the standard of living for the underprivileged, creating greater access to higher education and, accelerating women and youth investment for poverty reduction in Nigeria.
While congratulating the beneficiaries, Awuzie expressed confidence in their ability and commitment to make positive difference in their various fields. “To our esteemed scholarship recipients, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your hard work, dedication, and resilience have brought you here, and we are immensely proud to support your academic journey.
“You are the future leaders and innovators, and we have full confidence in your ability and commitment to make a positive difference in the world.
“Our targets for the future are ambitious but achievable with your continued support. Our goal is to create sustainable change that uplifts individuals and transforms communities.
“I encourage everyone to embrace the spirit of giving and to continue supporting initiatives that foster education, empowerment, and community development. Let us work together to create a society where every individual has the opportunity to realize their full potentials.”
The acting Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Uche Onyegbu in his speech praised DCAF for championing such a worthy cause, describing the benefactor as God’s special gift to humanity. Onyegbu prayed for divine health and providence upon her to keep impacting on lives while urging other wealthy individuals to emulate the impactful charitable programmes of the foundation, just as he challenged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to attain the highest level of education.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke shortly after receiving the award certificates were full of gratitude to the benefactor, promising to utilize the funds judiciously.
Agwuncha Assumpta, HND 1 in Fashion Designing and Clothing Technology, Fed Poly Oko, described the gesture as miracle and answered prayers. “I’m the one sponsoring myself in school, having lost my dad seven years ago. My mom who had been supportive is currently down”, Aguncha disclosed.
Aniegbu Chijioke, a first-year student of Agricultural Education, Federal Technical College of Education Umunze, also disclosed that the scholarship had offered him a great mileage in his academic pursuit. “Though I came from a royal family, with my brother as former military governor of Borno State. But I didn’t receive assistance from him and others which led to the delay in my studies. So, this scholarship is the best gift I ever had so far,” he stressed.
