Most Reverend Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, has awarded scholarships worth N10,445,000 to 85 indigent students from various religious denominations. The scholarships, facilitated through donations from the Austrian non-governmental organization Help For All (HIFA-Austria), were announced at an event organized by Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) in Awka.
Representing Bishop Ezeokafor, Reverend Father Maximus Okonkwo, the Education Secretary of Awka Catholic Diocese, encouraged HIFA-Austria to continue its support. The bishop expressed gratitude to the organization for sustaining the scholarship program over the years and praised the students for their academic achievements, urging them to excel further in character and learning.
Reverend Father Levi Ukor, Executive Director of JDPC, Awka Diocese, highlighted that HIFA-Austria increased their contribution this year due to Nigeria’s challenging economic conditions, surpassing the 7 million Naira allocated last year.
Mr. Paulinus Adinuba, Chairman of JDPC Awka Diocese, thanked HIFA-Austria for their generosity and urged the scholarship recipients to excel academically to honor their benefactors. He also advised the parents of the beneficiaries to use the funds solely for their intended educational purposes.
Several beneficiaries, including Kizito Ebele from Community Secondary School Obeledu, Chiekezie Lawrence Uchechukwu from St. Michael Comprehensive Secondary School Nimo, Pamela Chikerem Onwuka from Father Tansi Memorial Secondary School Akpu, and Chioma Ibekwe from Girls Secondary School Awka, expressed their gratitude to Bishop Ezeokafor and HIFA-Austria. They pledged to make the most of this opportunity to achieve their academic goals.
