By Ononye VC
Four fresh graduates of the Veritas University Abuja,who benefitted from the scholarship scheme of the Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke on Tuesday,paid a thank-you-visit to the Archbishop at the Archbishop’s Court,Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity,Onitsha,to show their appreciation.
The students namely,Mr Emmanuel Nwafor,Ms Chidiogo Ibekwe,Ms Chioma Okelom and Ms Mmesoma Obidiegwu,were accompanied on the visit by the Onitsha Archdiocesan Education Secretary,Very Rev Fr Dr Paschal Onwugbenu.
One of the candidates bagged 1st Class (Hons)while the rest bagged Second Class Upper (Hons).
While receiving the new graduates who are now counted among many other beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme, Archbishop Okeke expressed happiness that the students did not only graduate in flying colours but also remembered that they should return to their benefactor to thank him and to show appreciation.
The Archbishop reiterated his plans and commitment towards qualitative education for the youths inorder to achieve excellence in their various professional callings.
According to the Archbishop,the students have justified their scholarship by graduating with good grades and urged them to be good ambassadors wherever they find themselves in the future.
Trinitas findings showed that only one out of the four students is an indigene of Anambra State.
It would be recalled that many other candidates have benefitted and others are still benefitting from the Archbishop’s scholarship scheme locally and internationally spanning from primary,secondary and tertiary education.
With the new Shanahan University in place,the Archbishop has recently opened a floodgate of scholarships for the first 500 intakes to the university to cushion the rising cost of tuition fees in schools and universities across the country.
In his remarks after the visit,the Onitsha Archdiocesan Education Secretary,Very Rev Fr Dr Paschal Onwugbenu lauded Archbishop Okeke for his scholarship scheme which has enabled many indigent candidates to attend school and obtain education.
He also thanked the Archbishop for accommodating more students in his scholarship scheme and also shouldering the rapid increases in fees and other costs of education adding that it was an indication that the Archbishop is really working for humanity.