Professor Kenneth Kalu and Chief James Chijioke Ume have given scholarship awards to two female undergraduate students through their Ada/Ogbodiya scholarship foundation.
The foundation, which was initiated in honour of their late mothers, late Mrs Ogbodiya Kalu and late Mrs Ada Kalu, also gave seven other students from the same community bursary award.
Addressing the beneficiaries during the ceremony, which was held at the Presbyterian church of Nigeria St. Andrews Parish Atan Abam, Prof. Kenneth congratulated the beneficiaries for meeting the criteria for selection, which, according to him, is merit based.
He maintained that the essence of the programme is to provide financial grants to support female students who demonstrate excellence in character and learning and to spur the students to study hard and excel in their academic pursuit and become better citizens of the country.
Prof. Kenneth emphasised that the scholarship will take care of the tuition and other living expenses of the beneficiaries while they pursue their academic program in the university.
The SSG assured that the bursary cash award of one hundred thousand naira each will be given yearly to the beneficiaries until they graduate and advise them to take their studies seriously
In their remarks, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Due process Dr. Oluebube Chukwu and his counterpart on Records and Documentation, Mr Collins Ndukwe lauded the SSG and his wife Mrs Ifeyinwa Kalu for giving back to the society through training the girl child and solicited for its sustenance.
They also advised other well-to-do Abians to emulate the gesture and urged the students to make good use of the opportunity.
In his contribution, the General Manager Abia Newspapers and publishing corporation, Chief Jones Nnanna Ike a native of Abam, and Mr Paul Awa described the initiative as one in the right direction adding that when the girl child is trained,the society progresses.
Chief Ume, who is also the founder of Unubiko foundation, was represented by the Rector Abia State polytechnic Aba, Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, who in his earlier remarks, enumerated the criteria for the selection to include being a female indigene of the community, passing of the written and oral tests, among others.
Speaking to newsmen after the programme, the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme Hannah Onuoha from University of Uyo and Chinenye Iheanacho appreciated the SSG and his wife Mrs Ifeyinwa Kalu for investing in their future adding that they will not betray the confidence reposed in them.