NIPCO Company Secretary Unveils Foundation, Awards Scholarships
The Company Secretary, NIPCO PLC, Paul Obi, has launched a non-profit making and non-partisan foundation aimed at contributing to the progress of humanity through the encouragement of educational pursuits.
The Sir Paul Obi Foundation inaugurated in Ogberuru, Orlu Zone of Imo State also awarded scholarship to about 30 indigent students of the town and neighbouring autonomous communities.
Twelve of the beneficiaries are university graduates, while about two scores were at secondary school level prior to making secondary education free in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the foundation, Obi who chairs the Board of Trustees said “I started nursing the philanthropic idea in 2001 and put it to informal effect in 2005 prior to the formal launch today.”
He said the foundation, established in memory of his late father, Augustine Okoronkwo Obi, who was instrumental to his being a lawyer, but died before he could graduate from the university, was initially for indigent people from Ogberuru Autonomous Community, but has now being extended to 12 autonomous communities in the area making up the Ochasi Clan. Obi stated that the scheme is primarily aimed at supporting the training of beneficiaries through university education and thereafter make them assist their families and contribute to the development of the area and society at large.
He added that the foundation is intended to support the handicapped and empower the youths and for social regeneration, as well as serve as pressure group to draw the attention of government to erosion gullies ravaging some parts of the clan.
He said the importance of education cannot be over emphasized as illiteracy is a major factor in breeding and promoting poverty of the mind and spirit. According to him, the project which is being supported by traditional rulers in the area and beyond, would be attacking poverty within its available resources through educational support with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life of residents of the communities and the state in general.