Fides Media Living the Faith
By Adejumoke Aminat Alebiosu
Justice, Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC, Awka Diocese, in partnership with Hope for All, HFA, Austria, has awarded scholarships to 96 Students of primary and secondary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Awka.
The event took place on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at JDPC’s office, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka.
While addressing the recipients of the scholarship, Rev Fr Levi Ukor, Director, JDPC, Awka Diocese, explained that the scholarship was always awarded to celebrate HFA Day.
‘The aim of HFA is to help students who cannot pay their school fees. Today, we will be giving 70,000 Naira to each of the student and we are spending over 6.7 million Naira,’ he said.
Talking to Fides, Fr Ukor explained how the recipients were selected. ‘We asked parishes to submit names of students who are unable to pay their school fees and some people came to us in our offices. We selected those who are intelligent and would be able to carry on with their education.’
He also explained that they went to the school to confirm if the money was paid in truly.
For his own part, Rev. Fr Maximus Okonkwo, Diocesan Education Secretary, Catholic Diocese of Awka, advised the students to do well in their studies. ‘My simple advice to the students is they should keep on studying and doing their best to justify the money given to them and not just waste it,’ he said.
Hon. P, Chairman, JDPC, Catholic Diocese of Awka, encouraged the parents to save the money for future use as, according to him, the whole money would not be used to pay school fees at once.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Lawrence Chiekezie appreciated His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Catholic Bishop, Awka Diocese; JDPC Awka Diocese and HFA, for the opportunity given to them to receive the scholarship.