In a heart-warming demonstration of philanthropy and unwavering commitment to the advancement of girl-child education, the Idoma Women in Diaspora (IWID) have awarded scholarships to five outstanding indigent female students of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO). The presentation ceremony, held at the Senate Chamber of the University's Otada Campus, brought together principal officers, members of University Management, and the beneficiaries in an atmosphere of gratitude and renewed hope. Leading the delegation, the representative of the Idoma Women in Diaspora, Mrs. Martha Agbo, described the gesture as a recurring initiative aimed at encouraging academic excellence. She noted that the organisation remains committed to empowering the girl-child to become a beacon of excellence in society.
We are here again, as always, to present cheques to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance. This is to encourage them to do better and to serve as examples to other girls coming behind," she stated.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Aba Uba, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Friday Godwin Okibe, commended IWID for its consistency and impactful partnership with the University. Professor Okibe disclosed that the selection process was rigorous and transparent, following a directive from the University Senate to identify the five best-performing indigent female students. The beneficiaries were drawn from the 200-level departments and include four students from the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme—Okwori Eunice Anyandu, Okoko Favour Mary, Godwin Christiana Oyimolohi, and Ogwuche Blessing Ogwa—as well as Inalegwu Agbenu Mabel from the Department of Microbiology.
The Idoma Women in Diaspora is doing a lot to support the Idoma nation, from medical outreaches to promoting girl-child education. The University Management appreciates this partnership, and we pray that your vision continues to grow in leaps and bounds," Professor Okibe remarked.
Also speaking at the event, the University Bursar, Chief Dr. Paul Hassan Akpa, extolled the virtues of the donors, describing their action as a divine service.
Service to humanity is nothing but service to God. By supporting these young girls, you are truly serving God. I charge the beneficiaries to see this as a foundation for greater achievements," he said.
The Registrar, Mr. Michael Okoko Ogiji, expressed profound gratitude to the group, noting that previous beneficiaries of the scheme have continued to thrive academically. He appealed for the expansion of the initiative to include critical medical cases involving indigent students who may require urgent financial intervention. In an emotional remark, the Dean of Students' Affairs, Dr. Peter Adikwu, highlighted the timely nature of the intervention. He recounted the ordeal of one of the beneficiaries who, despite recently losing her mother and facing the risk of dropping out, emerged as the best-performing student during the CGPA assessment.
The just-concluded matriculation ceremony is unarguably unprecedented in scale and standards. The impressive turnout, cutting across all walks of life, is a testament to the inclusive, innovative, and transformational leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Aba Uba, his management team, and the entire University leadership. It takes someone with the heart of God to give. You may not know the extent to which God has used you today to save the future of these students," Dr. Adikwu stated. The Dean further appealed to IWID to consider sustaining the scholarship throughout the beneficiaries' programmes rather than as a one-off intervention, to ensure they successfully complete their education. The high point of the event was the formal presentation of cheques to the ecstatic beneficiaries.
Information, Public Relations & Protocol Unit
Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO)
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