Hon. Chukwunwendu Offers scholarship to students of Faculty of Social Sciences

By Ikenna Nwokedi

The CEO Poolking Estate, Hon. Gabriel Chukwunwendu has awarded scholarships worth five hundred thousand naira to students of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.

The Scholarship which covers tuition fees payment for the students of the Faculty had two students each from a carefully selected process from the five Departments domiciled in the Faculty.

The departments are Mass Communication, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology.

The scholarship presentation to the students was held at the Uzoka Centre on Tuesday, 8th August 2023 which witnessed the gathering of staff and students of the Faculty.

In his address, the benefactor and CEO Poolking Estate, Hon. Chukwunwendu stated that the essence of the scholarship is to support students of the Faculty who are struggling to push through their academic pursuit in the institution in their quest to graduate on regard time with good grades.

“My mission today is to support our students and by extension our youths in the course of their academic pursuit here at UNIZIK. Considering the realities of time, we are aware that some students are struggling and trying to cope with the challenges of funding which can hamper their academic pursuit leading to poor grades and in worse case scenario they may drop out from school.

“I thank God for using me as a vessel to aid their academic pursuit because it’s not easy to come this far right from secondary school to this moment. From the resources we have, it’s my sincere wish to do this and the process will be continuous as we have established a bond with the Faculty of Social Sciences,” Chukwunwendu said.

The former Youth Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) affirmed that the Faculty has been ordained for upliftment for both students and staff.

He also stated that as the Faculty gets set to move to the permanent site, he will be of help in supporting their innovations when called upon. He also commended the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor for his vision, accessibility and display of servant leadership towards taking the Faculty to higher heights.

The Real Estate Developer called on the students to make the best out of the opportunity by reading their books, eschewing all forms of social vices and making the effect of the scholarship felt in their academic endeavour while promising to do more to promote academic culture in the institution.

In his address, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor noted that the event is a special one because it fell under the mantra of the Vice-Chancellor’s ‘Project 200’ vision.

The FSS Dean said the Vice-Chancellor is happy with the gesture as he has been seeking for benefactors who will support the University in various ways and the students in the course of their academic pursuit as the University system and operations are blighted with challenges occasioned by lack of funds.

Prof. Okafor eulogized the CEO of Poolking Estate, Hon. Chukwunwendu for his magnanimity and philanthropic gesture by doling out the sum of five hundred thousand naira to ten students of the Faculty.

The University Orator said the Faculty is very disposed to this kind of gesture because they have made a decision to put in their best just like their predecessors and as well work better towards surpassing their achievements.

Prof. Okafor disclosed that the Faculty will in no distant time move to their permanent site while expressing his delight that it is a good thing happening in his tenure as the Dean of the Faculty. He also informed the benefactor that the Faculty would also beckon on him for assistance as they are still lacking some basic amenities.

The University Don congratulated the lucky students and asked them to appreciate Hon. Chukwunwendu for the uncommon gesture while also admonishing them not to take the scholarship for granted and ensure they utilize the funds for their academic pursuit.

On his part, the President, Faculty of Social Sciences Students Association (FOSSA), Comrade Ifechukwu Promise Ezinwa eulogized the benefactor for such a huge philanthropic gesture by promoting the course of education through the award of scholarships. He stated that the students of the faculty are indeed grateful for such positive gesture which is significant and will go a long way in inspiring other students to focus on their studies.

Also speaking, a Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Mr. Izuchukwu Kizito Okoli narrated the journey behind the scholarship being awarded to the students which kick-started during a student’s seminar for various Faculties in the institution.

Okoli noted that during the course of the seminar they got attracted to the President of FOSSA Comrade Ifechukwu Ezinwa, because of his ideas towards uplifting his Faculty and his spectacular initiatives.

He opined that the result of the interaction gave way to the Faculty of Social Sciences getting the nod for the Scholarship program.

One of the beneficiaries, a 200 level student of the Department of Psychology, Divine Dabelu Okoroafor appreciated the benefactor while praying that God blesses him and replenishes his pockets. He promised that the beneficiaries will do well in their studies and justify the Scholarship awarded to them.

In a vote of thanks, the Faculty Staff Adviser, Mr. Ignatius Ngini thanked the CEO of PoolKing Estate for finding the potentials in the students of the Faculty by awarding the scholarships, he urged the students to work hard, be dedicated to their studies and make everyone proud including their benefactor. He averred that the occasion is a process of learning and it takes extra work to do things in extraordinary way.

The ten students who got the scholarship were given the sum of fifty thousand naira each and they include; Divine Okoroafor and Samuel Chiduben Aziekwe from the Department of Psychology; Chigozie Precious Umeaku and Nehemiah Naza Chukwudi from Economics Department; Christopher Duru and Abuchi Edwin Onyekwe from Political Science Department; Chidubem Aloysius Nwankiti and Chinonso Will Ebiri from Mass Communication Department and Uchechukwu Okongwu and Divine Nten Okem from Department of Sociology.