Ahead of its launching scheduled for September 26, 2024, the Anglican Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, His Lordship, Aloysius Agbo and other clergymen from the diocese have on Saturday endorsed the Adada Education Foundation which was an initiative created for the purposes of empowering exceptional youth of Nsukka cultural zone, through education and skill acquisition programs.
The call for total endorsement and support was made when the Convener/Chairman Board of Trustees of the foundation, Hon. Chinedu Onu in company of other delegates from the foundation visited St. Barth’s Anglican Church, Obimo, in Nsukka local government area where the Anglican Diocese of Nsukka held their annual Christian Fathers’ Fellowship.
Addressing the participants at the convention, Hon. Onu, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Ingrace Group Limited informed the august gathering that the motive behind the formation of the foundation was to empower extraordinary gifted youth and children of Nsukka cultural zone and allow them compete favourably with their peers from other climes.
According to him, the initiative is driven by the Igbo concept of Igwebuike (unity is strength) as against Ike Otu onye (One man’s strength) to provide not only education but skill acquisition programs that will see to the growth of the exceptionally gifted young men and women of the zone, leading to exponential socio-economic change and development.
“The Adada Education Foundation is programmed to cover the seven local government councils in Nsukka cultural zone; Nsukka, Udenu, Igbo-Etiti, Uzo-Uwani, Igbo-Eze South, Igbo-Eze North, and Isi-Uzo with the aim of empowering them through skill acquisition and sponsor the graduates abroad for their masters and PhD programs.
“Our target is to finance the foundation from a pool of funds to be contributed by the financiers who by the virtue of their commitment shall be called Adada Development Ambassadors, stressing that every development ambassador will make an annual contribution of N100,000 to the project fund which will be monitored by every donor through an application designed to show how every fund is being channeled.
“We should see this as our efforts towards changing the narrative of Nsukka cultural zone and give our young ones the platform to compete favourably with the youth of other climes,” Onu concluded.
In his response, Bishop Agbo expressed his happiness over the initiative, describing it as the best Nsukka has ever had in recent time.
He commended Hon. Onu for coming up with such uncommon and laudable initiative, promising that he would not only participate in the program but will mobilize people that will key into the programme to ensure its success and sustainability.
He went further to say that he and the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, His Lordship, Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah had discussed on this and agreed to throw their weight behind the initiative.
“Our son, Chinedu Onu has been a source of blessings to Nsukka, especially the Anglican Communion. He has sponsored most of our events and had severally made some kind donations. I am saying before you all that I support this initiative with my whole being and we shall mobilize to ensure that it becomes a success.
“Our God shall make this a success and I appeal passionately to all the sons, daughters and patriotic Nsukka people to support this because it will help to liberate our people,” the Bishop said.
Meanwhile, Venerable Emmanuel Onah, from St. Luke’s Parish, Iheaka, who spoke on behalf of the priests said Adada Education Foundation is a sure way of lifting the Nsukka cultural zone from poverty and positioning them for a greater tomorrow.
“No society progresses without education. This initiative is a sure way of lifting our people from poverty and illiteracy. The opportunity has called for all to embrace and utilize. On behalf of the priests, we welcome this idea,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the laity, Kenneth Agbo stated that it is a blessing to have a man with such visionary ideas come from Nsukka cultural zone, maintaining that the initiative will tripple the progress of the zone.
He further called on the people to see the initiative as theirs and a selfless service to the entire Nsukka people.
Speaking further, Hon. Onu appreciated the Bishop, priests and other members of the church for buying into the project, pledging that he shall donate 500 bags of cement for the completion of St. Barth’s Anglican Church, Obimo.
Onu also used the occasion to present a brand new vehicle built by his company Ingrace, which he said had already been donated to the foundation by him.
Finally, the congregation prayed God to continue to grant Hon. good health to enable him continue to serve humanity. They also blessed the vehicle, praying that it will be of immense use in the advancement of the noble objectives of the Foundation.
Credit:
Enugu Journalist
