By Leonard Okachie
The Justice and Brenda Ogbonna Foundation (JBOF), on Tuesday, donated educational and school materials to over 300 students from 33 primary and secondary schools in Obingwa LGA of Abia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the materials included school bags, pairs of sandals, exercise books, rulers, pencils and other writing materials.
The foundation also disbursed N2 million bursary to 10 indigent undergraduates in various Nigerian universities, with each receiving N200,000.
The annual back-to-school programme took place at Abala Autonomous Community.
Speaking at the event, the President of the foundation, Dr Justice Ogbonna, said the programme was part of their yearly routine.
Ogbonna further announced N1 million intervention fund for selected private schools and N350,000 annual school fees support for JBOF scholars at Hafuruchi International School.
He also donated intervention funds for public schools in Agalaba and N2.5 million seed money to 50 petty traders and artisans.
He said that the foundation had in August distributed over 250 bags of fertilizer to farmers in the community.
Ogbonna said JBOF was established 14 years ago to serve humanity through kindness, love and educational support.
He disclosed that directors of the foundation painstakingly searched for struggling students, whose parents could not afford their educational bills.
According to him, beneficiaries increased from five, about two years ago, to six last year and 10 this year.
He said that two current beneficiaries had been supported from primary school, including an 18-year-old girl, who scored over 280 in UTME.
Ogbonna put the value of this year’s intervention at about N20 million.
He explained that Agalaba stretches from Ward 7 to Ward 11 in Obingwa East Constituency, adding that beneficiaries were selected on academic merit.
In a remark, the Director of Communication and Strategy of the foundation, Onuoha Nwadiuko, described the turnout of people at the event as “overwhelming and massive”.
He said that JBOF’s philanthropy was driven by genuine concern for humanity.
He said that good education remained a prerequisite for socialisation and integration into contemporary civilisation.
In an address, the Traditional Ruler of Abala, Eze Chimaeze Nwokenne, thanked the foundation for investing in the future of the students and other natives.
Nwokenne said the foundation was not just giving prizes but future to the beneficiaries.
He advised them to remain humble and hard working, and urged others, who had yet to benefit, not to be discouraged.
(NAN).
