A non-governmental organization, Chris and Clara Ezike Foundation, has paid the 2021 West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for over 48 students of Community High School, Ogboji.

The Director/CEO of the foundation, Chief Chris Ezike, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, joined by his amiable wife, Dr. Mrs Clara Ezike did the symbolic presentation of the cheque which is over N789, 000 to the principal of Community High School, Ogboji in a brief ceremony held at his Akudo Residence, Ogboji.

In his speech, Chief Chris Ezike said that the programme which is an annual event was conceived to support the educational development of the students as well as to assist parents who might find it difficult to pay for their ward's WAEC fees.

According to him, "We embarked on the programme as a way of providing relief to most of the Parents and Guidance, burdened by poverty limiting their ability to paying the WAEC fees"

He disclosed that the benefitting students comprised students drawn from Ogboji and other neighboring communities, saying that there will be no discrimination in the distribution of the largesse.

On his part, the Caretaker Community Chairman Ogboji Town Union, Mr Marcellinus Emechebe extolled the efforts of the foundation in giving relief to the parents and students. He charged the benefiting students to take advantage of the opportunity which they have been offered with the payment of the WAEC fees, and work hard in order to be successful in the examination.

The Onowu of Ogboji Community, High Chief Kay Anyacho on his part was full of encomium on the initiators of the foundation. He described education as the bedrock of development. He charged the benefitting students to make judicious use of the opportunity by adding more efforts in their studies.

Lending his voice, a veteran Nollywood actor, Mr Obi Okoli described the ceremony as symbolic. He said that education is arguably the most critical element in nation building and he who helps in the educational development of a child has helped in building a nation. He equally prayed God to continue to bless the initiators of the foundation.

Earlier, the Principal of Community High School, Ogboji, Mrs Ezika Ebele Loretta was full of appreciation to Chris and Clara Ezike Foundation for always assisting the school. She said the foundation built a Chemistry Laboratory in the school which has helped to improve the academic performance of the students. She went further to present the WAEC results of the last beneficiaries of the foundation.

One of the benefitting students, little Miss Nkechi Oguchi was full of praises to Chris and Clara Ezike Foundation. According to her, this gesture will save most of them from dropping out of school, due to their parents inability to pay their WAEC fees.

Dignitaries who attended the ceremony are Nze Prince SN Uchendu (Mayor of Atlanta), Engr. Olisa Okoli (Ife Ogboji), Asso. Prof. Chidi Okeke (Unizik Awka), Mr Ogochukwu Uchendu (Vice Chairman Ogboji Youth), Mr Uba Chidozie( PRO CTC Ogboji), representatives of Ogboji Village Leaders, Land and Security Committees, Staff and Students of Community High School, Ogboji among others.

(Okoli Sunday writes from Awka)

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