From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Academic Staff of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) from Enugu Ezike in Igboeze-North Local Government Area of Enugu State under the aegis of the Association of Ezikeoba Academics (AEA) has given bursary awards to 10 indigent students in UNN.
Presenting the N100,000 bursary each to the 10 indigent students from Enugu Ezike during the association’s first 2024 general meeting in Nsukka on Wednesday, Prof. Emeka Obe, the President of the association said the award was to assist the beneficiaries in their education.
Obe said that AEA as an association made up of academics in UNN knows the value of education and has given bursaries to over 30 indigent students from Enugu Ezike undergoing different programmes at the University.
“Today being our first meeting of the year, hosted by Dr. George Ali in his Nsukka residence, AEA will assist our indigent brothers and sisters in UNN to help them continue to navigate the tortuous contours of the academic arena.
“The association since inception to the glory of God has been providing bursary awards to indigent students of Enugu Ezike extraction in UNN.
“We raise money to sponsor these wards through annual contributions of members of AEA, today 10 indigent students will get N100,000 each as 2024 bursary,” he said.
The president listed beneficiaries to include, Ezeja Uchenna of the Department of Pharmacy, Okoro Kosiso of the Department of Mass Communication, Ossia Festa of the Department of Science Education, among others.
He advised the beneficiaries to ensure that the money was channeled into their academic endeavour so that they would be in positions to help others in the future.
Obe who was represented by the Vice-president of AEA, Prof. Apex Apeh commended the bursary awards screening committee for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable were selected among over 50 students who applied.
“It’s because the committee members have ‘eagle eyes’ that they were able to select the 10 most vulnerable among over 50 students who applied.
“AEA will continue to ensure that indigent students in Enugu Ezike are assisted with the available resources of the association.
The president urged young people to always strive hard to get admission to higher institutions and let the shame be to parents, relations, and village if there is nobody to sponsor them.
“I have personally been encouraging our people to dare whatever hindrance and get admission first and let the shame be on parents, relations and village for not seeing you through.
“Is not enough to fold your hands at home and blame your parents for not sending you to school when you have not gotten admission to any higher institution,” he said
Responding, Ogochukwu Abugu, President, Association of Enugu Ezike Student UNN Chapter commended AEA for the gesture and noted that the money would go a long way in helping the beneficiaries in their education.
“On behalf of the Enugu Ezike Students in UNN, I most sincerely thank AEA for the wonderful financial support to the lucky ten beneficiaries.
“The bursary is a huge relief to the student as it would go a long way in solving some of the financial needs of their education.
“I want to assure that the beneficiaries would reciprocate the gesture by being committed to their education and avoid any social vices throughout their stay in the university,” he said.
Also responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ezeja Uchenna, Department of Pharmacy, 400-Level thanked AEA for the bursary and pledged that they will make judicious use of the money.