January 1, 2020 was another monumental day in Avutu, Obowo as the Nwokocha Foundation brought joy and relief on the faces of 60 University students and their parents. As has been the case since 2016, hundreds of people attended as the foundation had its annual scholarship award ceremonies to benefit eligible sons and daughter of Avutu, Obowo at the Aguneke Hall.
The ceremony featured a keynote speaker, Dr. Cosmas Ihezie, an orthopedic surgeon at Federal Medical Center Owerri and an indigene of Obowo. Dr. Ihezie exhorted the students reach high in their academic pursuits and he used his academic and professional journey as an example to motivate the students.
The newest member of the Nwokocha Board, Mr. Leonard Ihedioha, was formally inducted.
The ceremony also witnessed the recognition of some Nwokocha scholars who participated as tutors and coaches in the 2019 extra mural program. They received cash awards for their efforts. Also, the best overall students from the extramural program, Theophilus Chiamaka and Chidiebere Uzondu, were also recognized. Though not solicited, Dr. Ihezie and Mr. Ihedioha made various cash donations to different categories of students to encourage them the more.
The highlight of the occasion was the disbursement of checks to the scholarship awardees by Chief Paschal Nwokocha, the Founder and proprietor of the foundation. The awardees are from all corners of Avutu, Obowo: Umuifem: 2; Umuodimma: 3; Dikenta: 7; Umuada: 8; Umuoshi: 8; Amaeke: 11; Umuagagba: 21.
The chairman of the Board, Honorable Gabriel Emejeamara, congratulated the recipients and urged them to put the funds received to good use.
