The premises of the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Awka Diocese, located within St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, recently witnessed a flurry of activities as 81 indigent students and pupils across different denominations in Anambra State received scholarships worth over ₦10 million.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, JDPC Awka Diocese, and Help For All (HIFA) Foundation, Anambra, provided tuition fee cheques to beneficiaries in a ceremony filled with gratitude and joy.
HIFA Anambra, an offshoot of HIFA Austria—one of the world’s oldest non-governmental organizations—operates in over six states in Nigeria, with Anambra serving as its headquarters.
HIFA’s 25-Year Commitment to Education
Speaking at the event, Rev. Fr. Levi Ukor, Director of JDPC Awka Diocese and Chairman of HIFA Board in Anambra, commended HIFA for its unwavering support for underprivileged students. He noted that the organization had sustained its scholarship program for the past 25 years, ensuring that countless children received an education despite financial constraints.
In his remarks, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, represented by the Education Secretary of Awka Diocese, Rev. Fr. Maximus Okonkwo, expressed deep appreciation for HIFA’s generosity. He shared the inspiring story of a former HIFA scholarship beneficiary who is now a Catholic priest serving in the United States.
Rev. Fr. Okonkwo urged other well-meaning individuals and organizations to emulate HIFA’s commitment, emphasizing that education remains a powerful tool in breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering future generations.
Beneficiaries Express Gratitude
Several beneficiaries took turns to express their heartfelt gratitude. Okoye Valentine, an SS2 student of St. Mary’s College, Awka; Onwukachi Ekere Fustina, an SS1 student of Fr. Tansi Memorial Secondary School, Akpu; and IfeChukwu Sophia, a final-year student, were among those who spoke.
Younger recipients, including Oluebube Anosike, a Basic 3 pupil of Hand
