By Sampson Ezeaka, Awka
A philanthropic organisation – I.G Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation (IGAHAF) – has posted further landmark in its activities.
During a ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Awka, Anambra State on August 30 to mark its 3rd Education Seminar and 5th Phase of Scholarship Award Ceremony, IGAHAF offered full scholarship to 250 more students. This brings to 670, the number of scholarships so far given to deserving students, by the Foundation within three years of its existence.
A line up of dignitaries attended the IGAHAF ceremony in Awka last Friday. Among these were the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, Head of Service, Anambra State, Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe and the traditional ruler of Nibo town, His Royal Majesty, Michael Ngene. The distinguished guests highly commended the foundation and its founder, Chief IG Aguowo, who is also the Chairman and Chief Executive of Volic Group of Industries.
Chairman of the occasion, Engineer Innocent Akuvue, used his remarks to highlight the difference between Chief Aguowo and some other wealthy people in the Nigerian society today, who he said, use their wealth to make trouble and inconvenience everybody. He noted that many wealthy people in Nigeria at the moment, live a life of profligacy. This, he pointed out, is different from the life of the Chairman of IGAHAF, who decided to deploy his God-given resources to lift humanity. Engineer Akuvue, commended Chief Aguowo and called many others blessed with wealth to emulate him.
Speaking earlier at the event, the executive director of the Foundation Mrs. Gloria Ugonnia Abanihe informed guests that the foundation came out of the conviction by its founder, that “education is the cornerstone of a prosperous and equitable society, as well as a key that unlocks opportunities to a brighter future”. Mrs Abanihe pointed out that IGAHAF is also committed to various other philanthropic programmes in the healthcare sector and numerous Nigerians have been benefitting from these programmes. She assured that the foundation will continue to lift humanity through its activities in healthcare and education.
Also speaking in commendation of the works of the foundation, the Anambra state Commissioner of Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, expressed delight at what IGAHAF is doing. She said the activities of the foundation are complimentary to the education programmes of the Anambra State government. According to her, the Foundation represents a good example of Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP), which she said the Governor Chukwuma Soludo government encourages.
A former teacher of the chairman of the foundation, Barrister Nwando Obiano, who was the key note speaker at the ceremony hailed the “exceptionality” of Chief Aguowo. She extoled his services to humanity and called on the beneficiaries of his philanthropy to also show exceptionality in their character and future endeavours. She asked the numerous beneficiaries of Chief Aguowo’s magnanimity to always pray for him and as well be good ambassadors of the Foundation that has given them a head start in life.
Chairman/Founder of the Foundation, Chief Aguowo later thanked all those who attended the event to identify with the Foundation. He said he finds joy in philanthropy because he had a very humble beginning and knew deprivation and poverty, hence his commitment to lift as many people in life as possible. He said he had the dream many years ago, to do what he is currently doing. Numerous cash prizes and educational aids like lap tops were given out at the ceremony.