Otti increases scholarship award prize for students

Officials of Alex Otti Foundation (AOF) announce increases in award prizes for beneficiaries of its scholarship scheme going forward.

Abia Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kazie Ukoh, said in a statement yesterday that each lucky beneficiary will henceforth receive N250,000, up from N150,000.

The Foundation has so far produced about six first-class gradates, an official of the Foundation noted in an address at the event.

A total of 34 winners were announced for the 2022-2023 academic year, at the Scholarship Banquet. The event held yesterday 14 October at the Sacramento Event Centre, Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA.

Over 200 students are currently on scholarship support from the Alex Otti scholarship programme, organisers said.

Gov Otti, special guest at the event, explained that beneficiaries do not need to know anyone to enjoy the scholarship.

He noted that the Foundation predated his assumption of office as Governor and will have no relationship with the Abia State Government.

He embarked on the idea as a private initiative aimed at investing in the future and charged the lucky winners not to disappoint but put in their best efforts to excel.

The programme, he said, targets bright but indigent students of Abia origin and those resident in the state.

Beneficiaries enjoy the scholarship by maintaining a Grade Point Average of no less than 3.5 throughout their studies.

He commended the management committee of the scholarship scheme for commitment to the vision of the foundation.

Immediate past Executive Secretary of the foundation, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, told the audience that the selection process was transparent, and thanked the Governor for giving of himself to the cause.

The beneficiaries were chosen from public tertiary institutions, he said, and urged them to maintain the excellence for which the governor is known.

Chairman planning committee, Mr. Marcel Umesi, affirmed that the beneficiaries were selected based on merit. He praised the Governor’s commitment to “building a generation of accomplished individuals who would continue to do great in their chosen fields.”

A beneficiary who spoke for his colleagues, Mr Kelvin Ikeoha thanked Governor Otti for giving them a future through the foundation. He pledged that they would play it forward by also giving back to the society.

The Governor’s wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, other senior functionaries of government, and Abia dignitaries attended the event.