COSIM FOUNDATION GIVES SCHOLARSHIP TO 100 STUDENTS, RAINS CASH ON 116 ENTREPRENEURS
REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE
It’s no longer news that many young Nigerians fail to realize their dream of getting good education or funds to start up, expand their businesses, or learn skills, and sometimes take these ambitions and potential to the grave.
This is mainly due to the failure of those in positions of authority to provide the right environment for people to attain their potential in life.
That is why over 200 indigent young people in Igbonsukka, in Enugu State can now count themselves lucky as a philanthropist and business tycoon, Dr. Chris Onyekachi Simon, also known as Don-Chris, through his NGO, COSIM Foundation, changes their story for good with the award of scholarships and grants to them.
Under the arrangement, 100 undergraduates would receive #1million naira each, within the study window, while 116 entrepreneurs, got cash grants, ranging from #500,000.00 to #1million to grow their businesses.
The Foundation also rolled out over #100,000,000 to support market women in Igboeze-North Local Government Area.
This is outside other various life-changing schemes, including health care, lifting people out of poverty and deprivation, peace advocacy, road construction and maintenance, as well as provision of farm implement to farmers to boost food production in the area.
According to the founder of the organisation, Dr. Chris Onyekachi Simon, COSIM Foundation was established in honour of his late mother, Mrs. Philomina Simon, who died in 2003 during childbirth.
He said he suffered terribly fighting for survival, a force that made him enter into a covenant with his God, that if He established and made him successful in life, he was going to establish others for the progress and development of his community, Enugu State and the world.
A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Foundation, Dr. Andrew Chiahalam Apeh, in an interview with RADIO NIGERIA gave insight into the scholarship programme as well as other initiatives of the Foundation.
“Our mission is to make the noble effort of Dr. Chris Onyekachi sustainable and to help recipients to successfully complete their education.
“Today, 100 undergraduates will benefit from COSIM Foundation scholarship scheme. Already, a total of #100, 000, 000.00 has been set aside for smooth take-off.
“For those running a five-year course like the Basic Medicals, each beneficiary will be entitled to #200,000.00 per session, covering tuition and logistics within the study duration. The Foundation will not only pay for the cost of University tuition during the time of study, but also provide a yearly subsidy for these new scholarship beneficiaries. In all, each beneficiary will get #1,000,000.00 within the study window.
“The Foundation has equally given overseas scholarship to some of our brothers and sisters, to entrench quality education by guaranteeing sustainable education and career future for our people,” the BoT member explained.
Dr. Apes also remarked thus: “Dr. Chris has thus been co-financing the construction of classrooms in elementary and secondary schools, as well as science and computer labs. The foundation has brought benefits to more than 1,450 children per year,” he pointed out.
Dr. Apeh further spoke on the grant to entrepreneurs.
“COSIM Foundation has equally set aside #40,000,000.00 to empower over 116 small and medium scale enterprises with a takeoff award of #1million naira, #500,000.00 and #300,000.00 to each of the beneficiaries, depending on the size of business to help boost and grow their business.
“The Foundation has also budgeted #145million for the construction of a specialist hospital with the state-of-the-faclities to meet various health challenges bedeviling the people, particularly the women and youth.
“In his drive to help the rural farmers, thereby making their farm produce accessible to urban markets, Dr. Chris Onyekachi has been assisting the government to maintain rural roads linking Isiugwu, Nkpamute suburbs and Igbo-Eze North urban metropolis.
“In addition, the Foundation is poised to invest specifically in equipping Libraries in some secondary schools to encourage literacy. Effort is equally being intensified to continue to create incentives for developing sports, by investing in equipment for different disciplines of Athletics.
“The Foundation plans to enroll more than 500 youths in higher institutions in the next 10years, while making and helping grow chains of 100 entrepreneurs annually to become leading successful entrepreneurs.”
A cross section of prominent sons and daughters of Igboeze-north Local Government, who spoke with RADIO NIGERIA, including the Member, representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Chief Simon Emeka Atigwe, and a community leader, Chief Kevin Ayogu, eulogized Dr. Chris Onyekachi Simon, who through his Foundation had provided the people with numerous humanitarian services.
The Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, ESUT, Professor Sunny Udeze, the
Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, University of Nigeria Nsukka, (UNN) Professor James Ogbonna, in their separate speeches, cautioned the beneficiaries against indulging in activities that would destroy their future, while urging them to be focused, and reciprocate the gesture of Dr. Chris Onyekachi, Foundation with hardwork.
Two of the beneficiaries, who indicated interest to study medical sciences, promised to devote their profession upon graduation to serve humanity, especially the less privileged.
Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, while unveiling the Foundation, promised the commitment of his administration to identify with any initiative that would better the lives of the citizens.
Highlight of the occasion was the conferment of chieftaincy title on Dr. Simon by the traditional ruler of IGBOEZE-NORTH Local Government Area.