Aguowulu Progressive Union Aguleri-Otu has unveiled its scholarship programme for pupils and students across the secondary and private primary schools in Aguleri-Otu communities, Anambra East Local Government Area.
Aguleri-Otu communities are made up of Eziagulu-Otu, Enugu-Otu and Mkpunando-Otu.
The event held at Eziagulu-Otu community attracted government officials, politicians, traditional rulers, pupils and students, teachers, parents, and the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.
addressing the gathering, Prof. Chuma-Udeh represented by the Director of schools in the ministry, Dr. Ifeoma Onyeneke commended Aguowulu Progressive Union for their good work which she said is worthy of emulation, and noted that what they have done is in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration’s policy in education by making quality learning in the state affordable and accessible to both the children of the rich and the poor.
The Anambra Education Commissioner charged the students and pupils in Aguleri-Otu to take their studies seriously, since the union has taken away the burden of school fees for the brilliant minds among them from their parents, urging Aguowulu Progressive Union to sustain the momentum.
For the Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engineer Julius Chukwuemeka who is a member of the union, if anyone wants to build a better society, such a person must build the education and the health sector, which he pointed out is why Governor Soludo has placed high premium on both sectors by the introduction of free basic education and free antenatal and delivery services for pregnant women in the state.
Engineer Chukwuemeka maintained that the major challenge affecting his people is poor orientation which the union sets out to correct and canvassed for the employment of indigenous teachers for the schools in all the hard-to-reach areas in the state, for adaptability and enhanced learning environment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Aguowulu Progressive Union , Mr. Emmanuel Mokwe stated that the union which was founded in 2009 is a testament to the power of perseverance, patience and support for academic pursuits in their community and to foster unity among their members, provide support for the less privileged, indigent pupils and students among others, adding that the scholarship was aimed at providing support and encouragement to the hardworking students and pupils of A
guleri-Otu.
The traditional ruler of Eziagulu-Otu community, Igwe Lawrence Nwofia while breaking the kolanut, commended the union for their humanitarian services and prayed for peace in Aguleri and their neighbouring communities.
School fees of selected brilliant students from all the secondary schools in Aguleri-Otu were undertaken by the union during the event as well as the distribution of educational materials, even as Engineer Chukwuemeka promised to pay for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Commission (NECO) fees for fifteen students from the area in support of Governor Soludo’s education’s policy initiative.
The traditional ruler of Mkpunando-Otu Aguleri, Igwe Johnson Mbanefo, his Enugu-Otu counterpart, Igwe Emmanuel Ejiofor, the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra East Local Government Area, Chief Joseph Ekwealor, a former Chief of Staff to former Governor Willie Obiano, Chief Primus Odili, represented by Maazi Joseph Anayo, the National President of Anambra Mandate for Good Governance, Chief Emmanuel Oguguo among others attended the event.
Match past by the students and pupils as well as members of the National Youth Service Corps were some of the highpoints of the event.