Uga Professors Vacation Lesson Ends in Grand Style, As Nonso Okpala Offers Scholarship

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

2021 Uga Professors Vacation Lesson, at Uga Communit,y Aguata local government area of Anambra state, for students in Senior Secondary School, has ended in grand style, with a promise of scholarship to best student in JAMB exams among the group of beneficiaries by this year's sponsor of the vacation training, Mr. Nonso Okpala. 

Mr Okpala who is the founder of Chude and Ego Charity Foundation informed that the foundation in memory of his late father and her loving mother will aside from buying JAMB forms for 20 students from the study group this year, shall also sponsor the best student to get the highest score in JAMB from the group of beneficiaries of the vacation lesson to University Education. 

He said further that his decision to sponsor the vacation lessons was borne out of interest to contribute to education and healthcare delivery to better the lives of the people and society.

He promised to sponsor the university programme of any product of the vacation lessons who is able to achieve highest performance in the subsequent University entrance examinations  and encouraged the students to take their studies serious to leverage from the opportunity. He also advised them to read to be providers of help in the future and to give back to the society when they are established.

He said, "The motive  behind the sponsorship is to provide opportunity for students to attain success. We are planning ways to put people up and and support people who are planning to be greater in their careers.  It is good to do well by giving back to the society. 

"My foundation which is Chude and Ego Foundation, built in memory of my parents would provide best university support to the best the student that would get the highest in JAMB and if they get admission on the basis of that JAMB result, we would offer full sponsorship. We will also buy jamb form for the best 20 students that would emerge from the programme."

 "I'm quite positive about the event of today and I'm very optimistic that in 10 to15 years, the children we train today will come back to train others. If you do not contribute to the people in the society, that means you are a failure, " he said.

www.odogwublog.com further reports that no fewer than seventy Senior Secondary 1 and 2  in public and private schools in Uga, Aguata council area were exposed to intensive academic lessons and career talks, courtesy of Uga Professors, on behalf of Uga Improvement Union during the one month long vacation lessons at Uga Boys Secondary School, Uga, Aguata Council Area.

Chairman, Uga Professors, Professor Christian Ezeigbo, retired Professor of Surveying, University of Lagos informed that the essence of the vacation lessons was to prepare the students for their future careers. He commended this year's sponsor , Mr Nonso Okpala for toeing the path of charity to humanity early even as he called on the wealthy in the society to emulate him by putting back to the society particularly Education for their Community's tomorrow success. He decried many challenges that threatened the continuity of the vacation lessons which has lasted for 9 years, but thanked God for raising men to work for to enable the vacation lessons continue since many gained admission to Universities through the preparatory classes efforts.  

Contributing, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, Director of Unizik FM, and Professor of Mass Communication Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, described the vacation lessons as the best thing that has happened to the beneficiaries, encouraging them to embrace Education early in their life as it pays. She said the opportunity will afford them lessons for future in chosing their career paths and lessons in giving back to the society in time to come. 

Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, of English and Literary Studies Department, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State presented a poem dedicated to the Uga Professors. 

Declaring the event open, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Godwin Okolo, said the Uga Professors' Vacation, which started in 2013, has enabled students, irrespective of places of origin, get necessary expositions that help equip them for academic excellence. He noted that with quality education, the young ones can develop talents, turn away from crime and social vices, as well as contribute more to the development of the society.

In his remarks, the pioneer sponsor of the programme, Chief Azubuike Okpalaoka noted that Education is vital in life of every individual irrespective of profession, class or gender even as he charged the students to strive for excellence always in whatever endeavour they found themselves in Life. 

Contributing the Secretary, Anambra state Post Primary Schools Services Commission PPSSC, Josephine Onuorah represented by Joseph Okonkwo lauded Uga Professors for their selfless service to humanity, urging them not to relent in modelling the students for future stardom. He lamented that students are lacking guidance in all ramifications but with the disposition of the Uga Professors, there is hope.

Accepting the responsibility of assisting to achieve objectives of the programme, the Principal of Uga Boys Secondary School, Uga, Barrister Gregory Iloka and a teacher Umennabude Nkechi called on others to emulate the group in order to help Government strengthen the education sector, even as the Principal, Barr Iloka appealed for urgent assistance to the security of the school premises as they only have one adhoc security man  manning the entire compound. He lamented that so many gadgets and learning materials donated to the school by Government and individuals are in private custody without any benefit to the students. 

Students who benefited from this year’s edition of Uga Professors Vacation lessons, including Master Victor Okechukwu from Uga Boys and Miss Chioma Cynthia Oluoba SS1 student of Immaculate Heart Secondary Schools Uga, as well as Chika Chukwukesiri of St Augustine's Model Secondary School Uga while accepting the challenges of studying harder for success in life and giving back to the society, urged fellow students to leverage the opportunity. They added that they have learnt to give and would reciprocate in 29 years time, since the efforts of the Uga Professors won't be in vain. They want beneficiaries to buckle up and show class when school resumes to enable others hunger to participate in the next edition. 

Award presentations featured at the event, while Prof. MN Umego thanked the teachers for being steadfast and students for their resolution to learn for a better future as well as sponsors for not disappointing the Uga Professors.