By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The office of the Justice Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC, Awka Diocese, domiciled inside St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, was a beehive of activities as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, JDPC, Awka Diocese and Help For All (HIFA) Foundation, Anambra, a Non-Governmental Organization recently spent over 10 Million Naira on 81 indigent students and pupils across all denominations in Anambra State.
HIFA Anambra is an offshoot of HIFA Austria, one of the oldest NGOs in the world. They are in over six States in Nigeria, with Anambra as the headquarters.
The presentation of tuition fees cheques to the beneficiaries ceremony saw students, parents, and guardians beaming with smiles and joy.
Speaking during the event, the Director Justice Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC in Awka Diocese and Chairman of HIFA Board in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Levi Ukor commended HIFA for their continuous aid to the less privileged, stating that HIFA had been consistent with this scholarship for the past 25 years and still counting.
In his remarks, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most. Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor, who was represented by the Education Secretary of Awka Diocese, Rev. Fr. Maximus Okonkwo thanked HIFA for their support. He narrated the story of how one of his classmates, who was a beneficiary of the HIFA Scholarship, is today a Catholic priest working in the United States of America.
Rev. Fr. Okonkwo called on other well-meaning individuals, initiatives, and foundations to learn from HIFA and come to the aid of the needy in society. He emphasized the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering future generations.
Some of the beneficiaries of the scholarship, who spoke at the ceremony, expressed their gratitude to HIFA and JDPC for giving them hope to pursue their educational dreams. Okoye Valentine, an SS 2 Student of St. Mary’s College, Awka, Onwukachi Ekere Fustina, SS 1 Student of Fr Tansi Memorial Secondary School, Akpu, and IfeChukwu Sophia, a final year student, were among those who spoke.
Other beneficiaries, including Oluebube Anosike, a basic 3 students of Handmaid Infant Jesus Nursery and Primary School, Awka, and Vincent B. Chinwalumogu also thanked HIFA for their kindness. They promised to make HIFA proud by working hard and achieving academic excellence.
Mr. Anthony Mary Chiwendu Okparanwa, an indigene of Achina in Anambra State, was visibly emotional as he expressed his gratitude to HIFA. “If not for HIFA, I wonder what would have become of my children’s education,” he said. “Two of my children are beneficiaries of this scholarship, and I’m forever grateful to HIFA for their kindness.”
Hon. PC Adinuba, the Chairman of JDPC in Awka, thanked HIFA for their benevolence and encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunity. He noted that one astonishing thing about this scholarship is the fact that HIFA doesn’t know the students, and the students also don’t know HIFA.
