Monday, July 31, 2023

AKWA IBOM: Encomium as Foundation Empowers 100 widows/widowers, awards scholarship to 13 varsity students

Celebrant, Apostle Elijah Jack with his wife, Pastor Mrs Deborah Elijah Jack at the middle, with students on scholarship 

By Freshgist 


There's jubilation in the air as Apostle Elijah Jack  Foundation (AEJF) empowered one hundred widows/ widowers from Onna local government of Akwa Ibom state with financial empowerment for business start ups, and food items.

The foundation also awarded scholarship to a  total of Thirteen indigenous students of Tertiary institutions within Nigeria as part of activities to celebrate Apostle Elijah Jack's 2023 birthday.

The beneficiaries were drawn across the 41 villages of ONNA local government area of the state where the board Chairman of the Foundation, Apostle Elijah Jack  hails from.

Announcing the beneficiaries of the scheme at ONNA during  the birthday celebration of Apostle Dr. Elijah Akpan Jack over the weekend, the chairman of the Scholarship committee, Dr Ohuka Chibunna Ruskin noted that the programme was designed to create an indelible impact on the lives of students and youths across the council. 

Ruskin added that Apostle Elijah Jack  Foundation 2023 Scholarship Programme aimed at supporting and empowering Onna indigenes and students in tertiary institutions across the nation, 

He noted that the scholarship scheme was borne out of the Founder's desire to invest in the future of the youths, Ruskin said the  exercise lasts for a semester and the beneficiaries  can always reapply so as enable others to benefit.



 On how the beneficiaries were selected, Ruskin explained, "After the advertisement, 70 people applied for the scholarship but only 23students uploaded their documents( admission letter, last school fee receipt, letter of recommendation etc), so that made 47 applicants disqualified. An online test was also conducted for the 23 successful candidates with a pass mark of 60 percent, again only 13 student passed the online test and we're screened and granted the scholarship.



According to Ruskin, "AEJ Foundation is a non bias foundation, but the scholarship was designed to create impacts on the 41 villages in ONNA local government , before the scholarship, a committee was set which I happened to be the chairman of the scholarship committee, we made announcement through traditional media, our website and social media, so that we gave it a wide spread. Our concentration was targeted at Onna students in Tertiary institution except private universities in Nigeria.


"Apart from the scholarship, the foundation also provided  a Motorcycle empowerment to one of the indigenes of Onna local government area of Akwa Ibom state


"100 widows and widowers went home with food items and cash empowerment to start up businesses. All these were done as part of event to celebrate our sponsor's birthday Apostle Dr Elijah Akpan Jack"



One of the beneficiary students, Shadrach Ezekiel Peter who is the Onna students world wild president, a 500 level student, studying Marine Engineering  in Akwa Ibom State University studying told our correspondent, on behalf of others , thanked the sponsor, Apostle Jack for his benevolence and desire to secure their future.

He said the scholarship would help to ease the financial stress on his parents and pledged to put more efforts academically so that the good gesture extended by the Apostle will not be in vain.

"I applied for the scholarship because I was having some financial challenges.  I believe it will help me a lot  in my academic pursuit and help my parents.

I feel very delighted and I express my sincere gratitude to Apostle Dr Elijah for coming up with this initiative, it is people who love God and humanity that would want to invest in the future that can do this. An investment in knowledge is the greatest profit." He said 

Speaking earlier, Apostle Jack, who is the celebrant said the Foundation is anchored on principles of love, empathy, selflessness and positive change to the lives of the vulnerable and poor. 

He said aside the scholarship, the Foundation provides essential medical care to underprivileged individuals in various communities, business startup empowerment for individuals as well as provisions of  financial materials and food item support to widows, widowers.

 The Cleric also called on humanitarian Individuals,  organizations and corporations to join hands with him in the pursuit  of his agenda. 

"Your support, whether big or small, will make an immeasurable difference in the lives of those we serve. Let us march forward, shoulder to shoulder, with compassion as our guide and humanity as our compass. Together, we shall create a world where love reigns supreme, where the warmth of kindness touches every heart, and where no one is left behind." He said.



Briefly after his birthday celebration, the Chairman of AEJFOUNDATION, Apostle Jack expressed fulfillment, stated that his motive behind the scholarship was to promote the ARISE agenda of the state governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo  Eno.

 Jack added that as a firm believer in the transformative power of education, he was committed to nurturing exceptional students who have exhibited outstanding academic performance, leadership qualities, and a strong drive towards making positive impact in the society.


 "We understand the financial challenges that can hinder students from realizing their full potential, and our foundation is dedicated to breaking down those barriers, ensuring that brilliant students have the opportunity to excel academically and contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields." He added




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