The wife of the governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) on Monday extended empowerment to four hundred indigent students of the Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University at a ceremony held at the University Auditorium, Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area.
The empowerment which was in furtherance of the programme of her NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) and at the instance of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Fidelis Okafor was in the form of stipend to students drawn from various departments of the institution who were adjudged most in need of support to meet basic needs.
Speaking to the students, Mrs. Obiano said that the empowerment initiative was her NGOs support to the indigent students aimed at helping them meet basic needs like feeding so as to concentrate on the main objective of their studies.
According to her, “I know that your main objective here is your studies and I encourage you to face it squarely. However, because of certain difficulties and family challenges and the need to meet your immediate requirement, I want those of you who want to be further engaged to write their names out through your leaders to be trained and empowered in order to meet your basic needs. ”
The wife of the governor told the students that Governor Willie Obiano’s commitment to education and welfare of students was unwavering as demonstrated in the support to the university, and the running of inclusive government that accommodates all segments of the society.
She assured that the governor was determined that the youths and students in the state were not to be left behind in the scheme of things and that was why he run a robust youth-centered administration.
On why she chose to visit and assist them, Mrs. Obiano told the students that the support was in response to the plea of the Vice-Chancellor to CAFÉ.
She highlighted some of the programmes of CAFÉ including; the training and empowerment of 2,600 women, youths and indigent widows; building of ten houses for widows, and eleven toilets to promote hygiene in rural markets across the state, donation of free limbs to 1,300 persons amongst other programmes; and urged them to respect constituted authorities and be the best they can be for a better society.
In his welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Fidelis Okafor, described the visit of the governor’s wife as the first of its kind since the inception of the institution, to have wife of the Visitor to the University visit for a special purpose of supporting indigent students.
The VC explained that the four hundred benefitting students were drawn based on those could not pay their schools fees for over a year and in some cases missed their examinations, and were often unable to eat three-square meal.
Said Prof. Okafor; “I liken the wife of the governor to the late Saint Theresa of Calcutta who goes about doing good deeds irrespective of religious inclinations. That is why we are happy that she is extending the care to our students in need.”
The Vice Chancellor thanked the wife of the governor for her kind gesture and urged her to extend the University’s appreciation to her husband, Gov. Obiano, and assured that the school was in full support of the administration which he noted has immensely favoured the school.
The highpoint of the event was the symbolic presentation by Mrs. Obiano to ten of the four hundred students.
She also assured the remaining beneficiaries that theirs will be handed to them in an orderly manner in conjunction with the University authorities.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Nkechi of Law department thanked the wife of the governor for the surprise gesture and prayed that God would bless and replenish her pocket, and also sanction the victory of her husband, the governor during coming election.
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