The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Sunday, gifted the sum of ₦10, 445, 000 cash scholarships to 85 students of different primary and secondary schools of various denominations across 21 Local Government Areas (LGA) of Anambra state.

Ezeokafor, who presented the cash to the indigent students at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka, the Anambra state capital, explained that the funding was made possible by Help For All (HIFA), an Austrian-based non-governmental organisation.

The prelate, represented by Rev. Fr Maximus Okonkwo, admonished the students to be of good conduct and study hard so as to finish with flying colours, and become useful to the society.

Contributing, the Director, Justice for Peace and Development Caritas (JDPC), Rev. Fr Levi Ukor, whose organisation put together the beneficiaries and their parents, explained that it was an annual event aimed at empowering the indigent students to acquire knowledge and skills they would use in developing the society thereafter.

According to him, 83 of the students would receive ₦121,000 each while two others whose academic performance were found to be outstanding by HIFA board would receive the sum of ₦270,600 and ₦141,400 respectively as encouragement to sustain the tempo.

Speaking in separate interviews, two of the beneficiaries, Master Lawrence Chiekezie from St. Michael’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo and Miss Pamela Onwuka from Fr. Tansi Memorial Secondary School Akpu, appreciated the bishop for the kind gesture and promised to improve in their academics so as to be shining lights to others.

Earlier, the JDPC Diocesan Chairman, Hon. Paulinus Adinuba warned parents against using the funds for any personal venture or business other than paying tuition fees, buying books, school uniforms and other academic purposes.