The Executive Chairman of Britking Ltd, a leading Real Estate Company with its headquarters in Abuja, Engr Dr Kingsley Chukwuemeka Ojukwu have told a gathering of Undergraduates drawn from different higer institutions of learning across the Country, that their “circumstances of birth cannot write their final chapter “.
The Uburu born Philanthropist made the statement in his country home, in Ogbuoma, Umunaga, Uburu, on the occasion of the award of Scholarships to 50 undergraduates drawn from institutions across the Country by his Foundation, Engr Dr Kingsley Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Foundation.
In an address presented to the gathering of benefitting undergraduates, their proud parents, Royal Fathers, Captains of Industries, Politicians, women and youth groups among others, the Chairman of the Organising Committee who doubled as the representative of the initiator, sponsor and Chairman of the Scholarship and Empowerment Foundation, Mr Innocent Ojukwu, noted that Engr Dr Kingsley Chukwuemeka Ojukwu views education as a powerful tool to change the world, hence his decision to establish a Foundation that will assist in alleviating the dire situations of parents and their wards.
“We live in a society where talent is abundant but opportunities are scarce and circumstances dire. Every day we see young boys and girls with first- class brains but with third-class opportunities. They have the intellect to become leading Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers and Innovators, but their only crime is that they were born without silver spoon. Today, the Engr Dr Kingsley Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Foundation is here to assist in alleviating these dire situations. A scholarship to an indigent is not charity. It is justice. It is telling that boy or girl – your circumstance will not write your final chapter “.
Mr Ojukwu enjoined the 50 beneficiaries of the Scholarship and other students present to shun all anti social and nefarious groups,stating that character will take them where certificates can never. ” To our 50 Scholarship beneficiaries, be of good character. A degree without character is a disaster to society. Be known for honesty, discipline and respect. Shun anti social and nefarious groups. Your character will take you where certificates can never “.
The Chairman of the occasion, erudite Prof. Romanus Nwoma lauded the initiator of the Scholarship Foundation for electing to give back to the society and advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds to build a better future and not betray the trust. He described the programme as not only an investment in destiny but also what true nation-building should look like and asked others to emulate it . ” This is not just another ceremony. This is investment in destiny. This is what true nation-building looks like. I call on all well meaning Uburians – let us adopt this model, if each of us sponsors one student, we will take thousands off the streets and out of despair. For the beneficiaries, I charge you not to forget the ladder. When God lifts you in the future, remember that someone offered you a ladder. When you succeed, don’t fail to come back and lift another person. That is how we break the circle of poverty “.
The Traditional Ruler of Uburu Autonomous Community, Eze Adu III, Eze Lazarus Umahi PhD, expressed his elation for the event, saying that such is the types of event that they want to be part of. He advised the beneficiaries to use the funds for the purposes for which it is meant, saying that Engr Dr Kingsley Ojukwu did not embark on the Scholarship and Empowerment because he does not know what else to do with his money but because he believes in building a better and more prosperous society.
Speakers like Eze Godwin Akpandu, Eze Uchechukwu Umezurike, Eze Christopher Abba among others, took turn to commend Engr Dr Kingsley Chukwuemeka Ojukwu for choosing to contribute to human capital development, describing it as the highest form of wealth creation and that he has left an eternal legacy by planting seeds that will become forests. They encouraged the beneficiaries to remain focused so that they can extend the same gestures to others in the future.
Cheques were issued to the beneficiaries while Empowerment sums of N1m ( one million naira) were handed to over to 9 persons and sums ranging between N200,000 to N500,000 ( two hundred thousand naira to five hundred thousand naira ) were handed over to 7 other persons to start the handwork and trades they learnt.
Mr Sunday Nwaze appreciated the initiator and Chairman of the Foundation, Engr Dr Kingsley Chukwuemeka Ojukwu for finding them worthy of the Scholarship and promised not to betray the trust reposed in them.