Barely a week after settling the National Examination Council (NECO) fees of all eligible secondary school students in Ofante, Olamaboro local government of Kogi State, renowned legal luminary, philanthropist and Founder of the proposed Fort Lugard University, Abuja, Chief Ogwu James Onoja, and his wife, Chief Rosemary Onoja, have again demonstrated their deep commitment to education with the disbursement of scholarship awards to deserving tertiary students across Nigeria.
The 2025/2026 scholarship awards were disbursed through the Deacon Job & Mrs. Omada Foundation, benefiting students of Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, including candidates pursuing masters degree and PhD (Doctoral) programmes. The intervention covered both Ofante indigenes and non-indigenes, reflecting the inclusive philosophy of the foundation.
Speaking in Abuja during the disbursement exercise, the Chairman of the Foundation’s Steering Committee, Dr. Daniel Itodo, said the initiative was designed to ease the growing financial burden on students and their families while promoting academic excellence.
According to him, the scholarship scheme aligns with Chief Onoja’s long-standing conviction that education remains the most effective instrument for individual empowerment and sustainable national development. He noted that the programme seeks to ensure that no deserving student is denied access to quality education due to financial constraints.
Dr. Itodo reaffirmed the Onojas’ unwavering commitment to human capital development, describing the intervention as a deliberate investment in the future of the country. He added that the scholarship is merit-based, inclusive and performance-driven, encouraging discipline, diligence and academic excellence among beneficiaries.
Students who benefited from the scholarship expressed profound gratitude to Chief Onoja and his wife, describing the gesture as timely and impactful, especially amid the prevailing economic challenges confronting students nationwide.
Established over a decade ago in memory of Chief Onoja’s late parents, the Deacon Job and Mrs. Omada Foundation has remained a key driver of educational and humanitarian interventions within Kogi State and beyond. Its sustained impact continues to reinforce the Onojas’ reputation for compassion, service, and unwavering dedication to human capital development.
