On Friday, 14 February 2025, Dr. Uzor Cares Foundation was officially launched in Enugu in a colourful event that saw the award of bursaries worth Eight Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira to 87 students from different tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai said the foundation is a welcome development “because education is the foundation of any society that wants to be a responsible society where law and order, progress and development will drive what they do.
He told the benefitting students that Dr. Uzor has given them support and they owe him and the rest of us who are here to support them the duty to make good use of the opportunity they’re given,’ while reminding the beneficiaries that “the education Dr. Uzor Cares Foundation is encouraging you to have isn’t one that ends with your certificate but that which liberates your mind.”
He said that what the foundation is doing today is in line with the determination of the administration of Dr. Peter Mbah “to equip the young ones with the tools and skills they need, which will all be available at the smart schools His Excellency is building across the 260 electoral wards in the state.
“The smart school is beyond the education they’re having. It’s an idea that will reform our society. An idea that in another 10-15 years, kids from these schools will begin to change the views and actions of the society.”
Earlier in his remark, the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District in the Senate, Osita Ngwu, while commending the foundation for their launch, said, “It’s amazing, and it’s only those who don’t understand what empowerment means that will take this for granted.”
Senator Ngwu, who made a financial donation in support of what the foundation is doing, said, “People are actually suffering, and when you see someone who selflessly put in the effort to help others, what can you do but support.”
He advised the students to take advantage of the opportunity and do the best they can, study and not allow anything to distract them so they can become another FSA Uzor in the future.
The member of the Red Chamber encouraged the foundation not to give up but continue to do what they started today and assured that as much as possible, people like minds will always give their support.
The Keynote Speaker, Ms. Kobi Ikpo said the foundation isn’t just being launched, but it’s a “celebration of the boundless potential of young people and the power of education to transform lives.
She further noted that “the foundation’s bursary isn’t just a financial assistance, it’s a passion for the less privileged, to give people the opportunity to achieve their potentials.”
In his brief remark, the Chairman of the event, Ozo Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe said Dr. FSA Uzor has gone beyond feeling his pain to feel the pain of others through the setting up of the foundation, which, according to a Russian philosopher, shows he’s human.
He added that “our stay on this planet is too short, and the best thing is for you to sow which is exactly what the foundation is doing today in the lives of others and the beneficiaries.”
The guest speaker, Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike said that Dr. Uzor didn’t start this support for education today as he has been doing that over the years.
He charged the beneficiaries to see the bursary award as a challenge to excell in their academic pursuit.
In his address, Dr. FSA Uzor, the Chairman of the Trustees, said the foundation, which was founded in October 2024, is a Non-profit and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to uplifting individuals and communities through the power of friendship and goodwill.
“Our Foundation works tirelessly to improve lives, fostering meaningful change for those in need. With the motto ‘Leveraging network of friendship and goodwill, lifting the people,’ we are committed to creating a better future for individuals and communities, driven by a deep sense of purpose and collective action.
“At the core of our Foundation’s consciousness lies a driving philosophy that aligns with our vision and mission. Our foundation envisions a society where poverty is reduced to the barest minimum and where everyone, particularly our youths, has access to essential resources, education, and support to lead a meaningful life. Our Foundation is committed to helping needy individuals in our communities escape poverty through vocational training/skill development, entrepreneurship support, provision of educational opportunities, healthcare assistance, advocacy, and other social services.”
Speaking on their activities, Dr Uzor noted that though their’s is a nascent Foundation, “we have already made a significant impact by reaching out to numerous individuals in need. Although we are yet to formally launch, we have responded to pressing demands by offering assistance to those in distress, specifically by paying hospital bills for some persons in need.
Additionally, we provided palliatives to over 200 indigent widows and physically challenged persons during the last yuletide period, demonstrating our commitment to supporting our community in times of need. Details of these and more can be found on our website: druzorcaresfoundation.org.”
Speaking on the Bursary award and how the beneficiaries were selected, he said: “We implemented a comprehensive and systematic approach that was both meticulous and equitable.”
He further stated that the application was done online, after which they conducted thorough screening, interviews, and evaluation before the final selection.
“135 online applications were received out of which 90 applicants responded to our call for interviews and physical verification of documents/validation of claims. In the end, 87 persons out of the 90 were found qualified, while 3 persons could not establish their status as students and stood disqualified.”
While congratulating the beneficiaries, h3 announced that the Foundation’s Trustees have approved “a modest bursary of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) to each of the beneficiaries for the 2025 Academic year.”
He also urged the “young people to keep their eyes on our announcement channels for our forthcoming dynamic empowerment programme for our Youths” while encouraging the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity and improve themselves and when they become successful in life, extend to others what was extended to them today.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event said the bursary award couldn’t have come at a better time considering the harsh economic condition of the country.
One of the beneficiaries, Ani Henry Chukwuka, a student of Central Washington College of Health Sciences Enugu, said, “It’s feel on top of the world, and I feel celebrated, and I’m very grateful for the award.”
Another beneficiary, Onyigbuo Ifunanya, a 400-level Political Science student of the University of Port Harcourt, said the Bursary will take care of her school fees and leave her with some pocket money for other sundry expenses.
She prayed to God to bless the foundation and her founder. “I feel so happy, not being able to pay my school fees, and someone steps in to take away this burden from me, I feel so happy.
The event was attended by so many dignitaries, including the speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu; Commissioner for Culture, Ugochi Madueke; Member Representing Udi South, Okey Aneke; Enugu State PDP Chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike and his Deputy, Barr. Steve Oruruo; Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Udi and Ezeagu LGAs Chairmen and their deputies.
Also present were former commissioners, local government chairmen, Clergies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.
