Dr Eric Umeofia, Chief Executive Officer and President of Erisco Foods Limited has announced a monetary gift of N2.5 million to Kamsiyochukwu Umeh, the top candidate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Umeh, a student at Deeper Life High School in Mowe, Ogun State, received the highest UTME score of 360. She got 99 points in Chemistry, 98 points in Mathematics, 97 points in Physics, and 66 marks in English.
Umeofia said he was moved by the student’s interview with the Saturday PUNCH on July 1, 2023, which affected him.
The industrialist also awarded financial prizes for the school’s administration, four subject instructors, and two additional top pupils.
While Pastor Eze Emmanuel, the school’s administrator, would get N200,000, each of the school’s Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and English instructors would receive N100,000 apiece.
Another student at the institution, Andrew Imoukhuede, who scored 355, would receive N100,000, while the third-place finisher would receive N50,000.
Umeofia explained that the gesture was made to inspire other kids to thrive in their academics.
He said-
“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 billionaire also has a foundation through which he purportedly supports over 100 students on scholarships. He stated that he has spent over N500 million in grants to persons with business ideas. Furthermore, his move was intended to help the economy.
Umeofia was pleased that Umeh intended to study chemical engineering, and he promised to assist her as long as she maintained her high academic position.
“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?” he added.
He also urged the FG to enact measures that would encourage outstanding kids like Umeh to stay in the country. Particularly after finishing their degrees and also contributing to the economy.
cc: Punch Ng
