It was a moment of relief for a visual impaired student, Mr Gideon Amedu, of the Nigeria Law School (NLS) when a renowned philanthropist and triple football club owner, Barr. Paul Edeh, offered him a full academic scholarship.
The scholarship totaling N500, 000 is to enable Gideon offset bills associated with his law studies without hassles.
Barr. Edeh who is also the Chairman of Benue State Football Association (BSFA) announced and redeemed the pledge immediately when he paid a surprise visit at the NLS headquarters in Abuja at the weekend.
Addressing up to 20 NLS students from Benue State in NLS premises, Barr. Edeh who recounted how he passed through the hurdles of being an undergraduate Law student at both Benue State University (BSU) and NLS, reckoned that Law School is a challenging academic experience, but said with dedication and focus, success is guaranteed.
He said, “I’m here to encourage you to stand firm in your academic pursuit especially as it concerns your resolve to become a Lawyer at the end. Your decision is laudable but you need to persevere.”
Barr. Edeh, a frontline presidential contestant in the forthcoming BSU Alumni Association (BSUAA) election, then commended the visual impaired student, adding, “rather than make excuses, Mr Gideon appears to defile all odds to pursue his career in law. He is a perfect example of how our society should run.
“I urge our youth, particularly in Benue to emulate Mr Gideon and pursue their desired career paths regardless of the situation they found themselves.”
Thereafter, he made another donation to the other students while assuring that he will also make effort to reach out to the state government to emphasise the need for payment of bursary to enable the students face the daunting challenges in the law school.
His commitment to reach out to the state government concerning the bursary followed complaints by the Benue State indigenous students at the Law School who facing the current harsh economic situation.
Responding to the scholarship gesture, the visual impaired student whose joy knew no bound thanked Barr. Edeh for coming to his aide.
Gideon said before the coming of Barr. Edeh, he had sought to borrow the sum of N10,000 to enable him take care of an immediate need.
While describing the scholarship as a miracle, Gideon recounted how he had applied for support from the Benue state government in 2023 to enable him pursue his law school career but was yet to get any response.
Also speaking, a former governorship aspirant in Benue state Hon. Richard Tersoo Mnenga who is also a student of the Law School, thanked Barr Edeh for his notable philanthropic attributes.
Hon. Mnenga described the visual impaired student as as one of the brightest students of the school despite his plight.
In a goodwill message, the SRC Chairman of NLS headquarters, Mr. Abida Israel, eulogised Barr. Edeh for his love for the students and prayed God to guide and protect him in all his dealings.
SRC Secretary-General, Chief Dooyum Emmanuel-Tarka, was among other students who heaped ceaseless plaudits on Barr. Edeh, founder of Honey Badgers and Naija Ratels Football Clubs – Men and Women.
Barr. Edeh whose football clubs have numerous Benue State-born players, has over 50 students of BSU and other Nigeria’s Higher Institutions of learning in his scholarship list.
