Ije'Duru fetes 50 undergraduates and all.



The Ije'Duru couple Prof. Pat & Hon. Princess Stella with the50 Undergraduates - recipients of the Bursary Award.

Ije'Duru handing the package to a recipient

Collaborating with the Catholic Women Organisation, Home and Abroad, Ukehe in what many termed one-of-its kind ceremony in Ukehe town, the Ije’Duru Foundation presented 50 indigent undergraduates of the town with bursary awards. The undergraduates were drawn from all the villages that make up Ukehe and from different higher institutions of learning including UNN, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and IMT, Enugu. 

The event which had Dr. Evaristus Afiadigwe a Consultant ENT and an amiable Ukehe man as its Chairman, was well attended. The Chairman in his speech eulogized the Foundation for the forthright initiative aimed at uplifting the youth, who several noted were not given the social priority they deserve as future of our generation.  He noted that bursary is a financial support meant to alleviate some pressing educational needs of the recipients. He then appealed to the recipients and youths in general to buckle-up and shelve all atrocities.  He further advised that the beginning of the receipt of the award demands that recipients inform their guardians about the bursary so that it can be properly channeled in solving the most pressing academic need they may be facing at the moment. Their role, he stressed is to dedicate their time and energy to their studies and the best way to appreciate the award is to extend a helping hand where and when it arises to those in need, imbibe the character of humility and uprightness, quoting the writer who said that “what one does for oneself may die but what we do for others remain immortal.” He encouraged all to do well in the appreciating the provider of the Award.

In her own address Prof. Mrs. Lizzy Ngwu,  President of the CWO, Home and Abroad, Ukehe collaborators in the award presentation thanked the presenters of the award Hon. Princess Stella Ngwu and her husband Prof. Pat Ngwu through their Ije’Duru Foundation  for responding to the clarion call made recently in a workshop organized for the youths  to all well meaning Ukehe people, politicians, philanthropists to support the cause for youths which she pointed out has become a major concern for the women who incidentally are the mothers of these youths.  She thanked all the benefactors of the organization and appealed to all sons and daughters of Ukehe to answer to the call in order to give the youths a sense of belonging and responsibility and make Ukehe greater.

In her own speech the Hon. Princess Stella Ngwu, Member Representing Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani  Constituency at the Federal House of Representative thanked the youths and all that attended the event which she noted is as a result of the clarion call made by the women to aid the youths. She specified that the interest is in helping the youths and all others in her Constituency for empowerment which she noted is one of her campaign promises –empowerment through education-  which stems from her endowment  as a teacher and a mother, thus the first teacher of her children.  She further described Ije D’uru as an outreach NGO through which her development initiatives will be powered, noting that the motto of the Foundation is Touching Lives.

In his speech during the occasion, Prof. Pat Ngwu presented the Ije’Duru Newsletter which was titled letters to Ukehe Youths. He said the present publication had letters written by seven outstanding Ukehe men and women to Ukehe youths to encourage them in their various endeavours in life. The letter was authored by; Santhus Aroh, founder and CEO of Visocom Limited an ideas and innovation company based in Lagos, Rev. Fr. Emeka Isife a Catholic priest and a school Principal, Barrister Bertran Ngwu an attorney-at-Law and the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Council on Privatisation and Commercialisation,  Godwin Iloabuchi Ngwu a writer and an Agric Economist, Hon. Princess Ngwu her self and her husband Prof. Pat. Ngwu. The seven letters wove into a resounding guide for the growing ones which if they followed will lead them to the greatness all craved.

Other guests including Architect Obi Efungwu were full of praises for the initiator and encouraged her to do more. The students who gave the vote of thanks through one of them expressed their joy and promised to do their best.  The students were given a copy of the “Letter to Ukehe Youths”, a certificate of recept and a follow-up form that will help the foundation keep up with their progress. 

Roll Call:

 In attendance included Ezinne Mrs Christiana Ngwu (Obi na Mma) Ozor Ofoeleatunwagu Donatus Akwolu and his brother Fabulous Akwolu and wife, the indomitable Ukehe man, Ozor Ego-eje late APC Aroh, Mr. & Mrs Chidi Nweloke, Ezinne Mama Daddy Aroh, Hon. Daddy Aroh himself, Chief Matthias Ngwu, Barr. Bertrand Ngwu, Chief Christian Itanyi, Arch. Obi Efungwu, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbaji, Mrs. Joe Nwoba (Ring Oba), Mrs. Mary Carmel Ugwu, Ezinne Mama Fr. Agujiobi and Miss Afoma Odo, Dr. Greg Odo, Area Commander Mr. Eze, Dako Ugo and a lot more people.