Chinedum Treasure
Gasvine Properties Limited has announced annual awards to the best graduating students and scholarships to minimum of 10 indigent students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.
Speaking on Thursday at the inauguration of the annual awards and scholarship scheme, Managing Director of the group, Esv. Dr Godwin Oziele said the awards would boost students’ love for the school even after graduation.
Oziele, an alumnus of the institution decried students’ increasing exodus to the universities immediately after their Ordinary National Diploma, saying the awards’ scheme would go a long way to reducing the ugly trend.
He said, “The Federal Polytechnic Oko, remains an institution of first choice. During my days in school, the trend was to gain admission to National Diploma (ND) Programme, finish up and apply for Direct Entry to a University.
“That thought never crossed my mind. I knew then that Oko is sufficient to give me the best foundation that I needed to compete favorably in life. My expectation was not disappointed due to the feats that God enabled me to achieve.
The MD further revealed that his group had turned down betnaija offer, saying the group preferred to empower students academically, which he said remained the surest way to greatness.
“Over time, we noticed the world is paying attention to those things that don’t matter. Someone will do something funny and will receive millions as award. Yet, another person will sit, read and study and such efforts are not recognized on graduation.
“This is the reason for our decision to give awards to best graduating students in this institution annually, starting with this year. We believe this will serve as motivation to many to work harder and reduce mass exodus of students to the universities,” he added.
On the scholarship scheme, Oziele said, “We’ve been waiting for this kind of opportunity to give back to the institution that made us. As a leader of one of the fellowships during my time here, I discovered that there are students that had challenges of paying their school fees.
“I longed for when God will grant us the capacity to be taking care of such challenges, but I heard him say you don’t have to wait. You can start small so others can join.
“This is not the first time we’re impacting the society. Four years ago, I had a pastor I was giving money every month to assist him in hospital evangelism.
“We later extended the gesture to orphanages. During our 6th year anniversary this year, we distributed over 200 bags of rice to communities.”
Responding, Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Chukwugekwu Ubaka appreciated the group for the gesture, saying it would serve as motivation for the students to work harder.
“We thank you for extending this hands of friendship to our institution targeted at encouraging the students to work harder. We hope this synergy will further bring peace and progress to the Polytechnic,” he said.
Highpoint of the ceremony were presentations of awards of N100,000 to the best graduating student and N50,000 each to the indigent students.
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