Former ENSIEC Secretary, Amah, Offsets WAEC, School Fees for 75 Nkpologu Students
There was jubilation in Nkpologu Ward, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Thursday as former Secretary of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Barr Chukwudi Amah, paid the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and school fees of 75 students drawn from two secondary schools in the community.
The beneficiaries, selected from Joerose Community Secondary School, Ogba Nkpologu, and Sacred Heart College, Nkpologu, were informed of the gesture during an interactive session with the philanthropist, school staff and the students.
Speaking during the event, Amah said the intervention was aimed at reducing financial barriers that hinder many underprivileged children from accessing quality education. He noted that the gesture complements Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, which allocated 33 per cent of the annual budget to the education sector.
Amah, who recalled his own difficult journey through school, emphasized the transformative power of education.
“I passed through thorns to get educated and will do everything to encourage others to toe the line of education. Today marks a significant moment—the second time I have paid WAEC fees for our young people. Last time, it was 45 students. Today, we celebrate 75 of you—75 futures waiting to be written, 75 dreams waiting to take flight,” he said.
Quoting global studies, he noted that “a 10% increase in government investment in education can decrease poverty by nearly 3%. Education breaks the vicious cycle of poverty that has held too many families captive for generations.”
Amah stressed that the benefits of education extend beyond the individual.
“When you excel, you build a bridge for others. You prove that where you come from doesn’t determine where you’re going. I’m giving back because the success of these students is my success,” he added.
The Vice Principal of Joerose Community Secondary School, Mr. Philip Okpe, described Amah as “a blessing to the people,” noting that his intervention had relieved many parents who were unsure of how to fund their children’s WAEC registration.
“Here in the village, majority of the parents are poor and will find it difficult to pay their children’s school fees. But today, Amah has taken that load off them. We can only ask God Almighty to bless him,” Okpe said.
Also speaking, the Vice Principal of Sacred Heart College, Mrs Nnaemena Ifeyinwa, applauded Amah’s consistent support for education in the community, saying he had “demonstrated the character of a true son of the soil.”
She urged the students, especially the girls, to be industrious and committed to their studies, noting that success only comes through hard work.
One of the beneficiaries, Okoro Blessing of Joerose Community Secondary School, thanked Amah on behalf of her peers, describing the gesture as “an investment in the future of the young ones.”
Similarly, Ifeanyichukwu Obochi, speaking for the Sacred Heart College students, expressed deep appreciation and promised that the beneficiaries would justify the philanthropist’s investment.
“He wiped away our tears and gave us hope. We won’t disappoint him. We will struggle hard to ensure that his effort in bringing out this huge sum of money is not wasted,” he said.
The event ended with prayers and well-wishes from students and staff, who described the gesture as timely, considering the current economic difficulties faced by many Nigerian families.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
