Dr. Umeofia expressed that the motive behind this generous gesture is to inspire other students to strive for academic excellence.
By Peter Tuama
Dr. Eric Umeofia, the CEO and President of Erisco Foods Limited, has made an announcement regarding a monetary reward. The sum of N2.5 million will be given as a cash gift to the top-performing candidate, Kamsiyochukwu Umeh, in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Umeh, a student at Deeper Life High School in Mowe, Ogun State, achieved the highest score of 360 in the UTME. Her outstanding performance included scores of 99 in Chemistry, 98 in Mathematics, 97 in Physics, and 66 in English.
Additionally, Dr. Umeofia has decided to extend cash rewards to several other individuals associated with the school. Pastor Eze Emmanuel, the school administrator, will receive N200,000. Each of the school’s Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and English teachers will be awarded N100,000. Furthermore, Andrew Imoukhuede, another student from the same school who scored 355, will be granted N100,000. The student who secured the third position in the school will receive N50,000.
Dr. Umeofia expressed that the motive behind this generous gesture is to inspire other students to strive for academic excellence.
He added, “I am also doing this not because I have a lot, but because my father taught me that giving is the answer to long life and happiness. As this young girl has done well, we want other young ladies to do the same and reduce this country’s problem. The youths are our only hope in this country.
“I am happy that out of the 1.6 million students that sat the examination, she came first. My heart is gladdened. I am particularly happy because she came from Amish town, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Amish town was where the civil war ended, where (former president Olusegun) Obasanjo took the surrender of Biafra; that means we are a peace-loving town. People like me and this girl are projecting our village in good light. If we as parents have suffered to send our kids to school, they have to do something to make us happy.”
The entrepreneur, who has established a foundation known for providing scholarships to more than 100 students, stated that he has already disbursed over N500 million in grants to individuals with innovative business concepts. He further emphasized that his endeavors were aimed at bolstering the economy.
Umeofia expressed his delight upon learning that Umeh intends to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. He assured her of his ongoing support as long as she continues to maintain her exceptional academic performance.
He added, “I want to call on others (philanthropists) to do likewise so we can have her type in different areas. Some students are not doing well because they don’t have facilities. Some have no supporters. Some are hungry. If we encourage them to read, why won’t they excel?”
Furthermore, he made an appeal to the Federal Government, urging them to implement favorable policies that would incentivize exceptional students like Umeh to stay in the country and actively contribute to the economy following the completion of their education.
