Students admitted into the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, have officially received their scholarship letters from the Oden Ewa Foundation, signaling the commencement of one of the most impactful educational support programmes in the state.
It will be recalled that on December 20, 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Hon. Oden Ewa, announced that the organization was ready to sponsor 150 students admitted into various programmes at the Polytechnic for the 2025/2026 academic session. The scholarship, designed to run for ten consecutive years, underscores the Foundation’s commitment to human capital development, youth empowerment, and community advancement.
This philanthropic intervention arose in response to persistent concerns over low student enrollment, which had almost created a gap between the host community and the institution. Hon. Ewa, renowned for his visionary leadership and compassion for the less-privileged, stepped forward to bridge that gap by funding tuition and other academic expenses for deserving students. His initiative has restored hope to many families who had long struggled to send their children to school.
At the official presentation of the scholarship letters, the Director of Administration of the Foundation, Dr. Usani Joseph, represented Hon. Ewa. In his address, Dr. Usani urged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity as a turning point in their lives.
_“I rise in honour of my principal, Hon. Oden Ewa, who is unavoidably absent due to official engagements outside the state,” he said. “ _Today marks another milestone in our shared resolve to enhance_ _human capacity. Those selected for this scholarship are indeed fortunate. The Foundation believes in your potential to innovate, become creative, and contribute meaningfully to societal development. You can choose to be better or worse, but I charge you to choose excellence.”__
He also cautioned the beneficiaries against involvement in cultism or any behavior that could tarnish their academic records, stressing that any student who performs below expectation or engages in misconduct will lose the award.
In appreciation, Miss Oluwatosin Lawal expressed gratitude, saying the scholarship revived her dream of higher education after years of hopelessness. Similarly, Miss Okey Egom described the opportunity as “ _God’s answer to the cries of the poor.”_ Parents in attendance also praised Hon. Ewa for wiping away their tears and investing in the next generation.
The event concluded on a note of joy and renewed hope, reaffirming the Oden Ewa Foundation’s position as a beacon of compassion and progress dedicated to nurturing the future leaders of Cross River State and Nigeria at large.
