By Uzo Ugwunze
Dr Chioma Awuzie Foundation (DCAF) has awarded academic scholarships to another 19 outstanding indigent students to bring the number of beneficiaries to Over 100 students from six public tertiary institutions in Anambra State that have benefited so far from the Foundation’s scholarship scheme and humanitarian services.
Speaking on the occasion of the 2025 Annual Scholarship Awards and Charity Programme which held at the Main Auditorium, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, the Founder DCAF, Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie said that the essence of those scholarships were not just financial aids but lifelines to the dreams of brilliant, resilient young Nigerians who are simply in need of a chance .
” When we established DCAF in 2019 our dream was simple yet ambitious, to serve as a bridge between the privileged and the underserved, to heal, to build, and to restore dignity where despair once reigned.
” With God’s grace and with your unalloyed support DCAF has become a force for good, a lifeline for indigent students, struggling mothers, aspiring entrepreneurs and entire communities.
“Moreso, this year’s DCAF Scholarship Awards and Charity Programme holds special meaning to me personally as it heralds activities marking my 52nd birthday anniversary. But more importantly, it represents another milestone in our collective journey to build hope, create opportunity and change lives through acts of kindness, educational empowerment and strategic community support,” said Dr Awuzie.
Moreover, the founder said that over the past years DCAF has deepened intervention to five key areas which include Educational Access; Charity and Community outreach such as distribution of food and gift items to widows, pregnant women and elderly citizens; Women and Youth Empowerment, donating cassava processing machines and start up grants for SMEs; Healthcare where over 500 residents of Awada Obosi benefited from DCAF 2023 free medical outreach; Maternal support and Childbirth palliatives to expectant mothers.
However, Dr Awuzie solicited for partnership and financial assistance calling on Captains of Industries, Development partners, Government institution, Friends of the Foundation and the general public to support DCAF vision, projects and programs.
“With your partnership, we can reach more students, expand our charitable footprint, and build a Nigeria where no one is left behind simply because they were born into poverty.
If you wish to support this mission, please donate to: Account Name: Dr. Chioma Awuzie Foundation ,Account Number: 8126389015, Bank: :First City Monument Bank (FCMB)
No amount is too small to change a life,” she appealed.
Occasion Chairman, Prof Moses Chendo, Dean of Post Graduate Studies Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam stated: “Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie has set pace as a social engineer for us all to key in such philanthropy.Her intervention through her foundation has fulfilled dreams of students, Empowered indigents to be independent, brought healing through her medical outreaches. All hands should be on deck to support this magnanimity to make our society a better place by touching lives”.
Also, Former ASUP National President and Dean of Students Affairs Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr C. B Asomugha said : You don’t experience a thing until it happens to you. I know one of my students who is struggling and is today a beneficiary, vicariously I feel very involved. The source of DCAF will never go dry and I on behalf of the students wishes her good health and I pray that more sponsors will partner with the foundation because DCAF will definitely make judicious use of the resources made available to it”.
In his vote of thanks, Deputy Rector Administration Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr Kenneth Ezekwe who noted that the event which had been running for over 5 years now was not a Polytechnic program but of DCAF thanked the Foundation for inviting the polytechnic, contributing to the polytechnic IGR by paying for the polytechnic auditorium and reaching out to the needy. He prayed God to continue to supply enabling resources for continuity.
According to Acting Rector, Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, Dr Njideka Chikezie, students are among people who are needy and should be assisted. Philanthropists only remember orphanage homes and street beggars whenever you talk of indigents but there are students from very humble backgrounds who desire to become something in life with a little assistance they will ever remain grateful and resourceful to the society.
Some of the beneficiaries, Muodaju Chinaecherem Anthony a student of Office Technology and Management, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Chukwuneke Chibuonu Victoria from Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu Accountancy Department, Okoye Mmesoma Priscilla from Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Department of Early Childhood Education in their separate speeches thanked Dr Awuzie for wiping their tears and assisting them through academic saying that they would endeavor to translate such kindness to better the society.
