Every necessary preparation is on for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the emergence of Eze Ihunwo on Woji Stool, in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state.
As part of beehive of activities marking the 10th year anniversary of Eze Amb Dr Emeka Ihunwo JP, Paramount Ruler of Woji Community on the throne, Eze Ihunwo has given out the 2nd phase scholarship cheque of Five Hundred Thousand Naira to the recipient , Miss Treasure Omasilamchi Ezebunwo, who is a Law student at the University of Calaber.
It would be recalled that five years ago, Eze Woji and his council of Chiefs also gave out the 1st phase of the scholarship to the beneficiary.
Speaking to journalists, shortly after the presentation of Five Hundred Thousand Naira cheque to the recipient in his palace at Woji, Nye Nwe Eli / Paramount Ruler of Woji Community, Eze Amb Dr Emeka Ihunwo, disclosed that the Woji council of Chiefs decided to use the fateful day to present a cheque for the 2nd phase of the University Scholarship to Miss Treasure Omasilamchi Ezebunwo who is currently studying Law at the University of Calaber, as part of the line up activities for the celebration of his 10th year anniversary on the throne as Eze Woji Community.
On the criteria for the selection of the beneficiaries for the community scholarship, Eze Woji said that the selection is done through a committee that is chaired by the traditional prime minister of the palace, Chief Dr. Tony Chuku, pointing out that one of the criterias is that the beneficiary must be an Indigene of Woji Community and must present his or her result and the University admission letter to the selection committee, adding that above all, the person must have character and behavior as well as satisfying the committee by passing their test.
According to Woji Monarch, the community will also extend the scholarship to other professions such as medicine which he said would be a male.
On why Woji Council of Chiefs are embarking on scholarship awards to Woji sons and daughters, Eze Ihunwo opined that the essence is to boost academic excellence and ensure that their Children acquire education, pointing out that within the period of ten years, Woji Community may have succeeded in producing a lot of graduates in different fields through the scholarship and skill acquisition programs.
On the sustainability of the scholarship, Eze Woji asserted that the scholarship program would be sustained through royalties the community get from people and companies operating in the community, adding that apart from that, they have Woji Community enterprises Nigeria Limited, whose duty is to sort for jobs and contracts and whatever is gotten is used for the community scholarship program, positing that Woji has what it takes to train up to 10 persons in the University at a time.
Eze Woji further stated that within the period under review, his council has recorded tremendous achievements in Woji Community, pointing out that over fifty persons from Woji Community have been empowered, including non Indigenes, in addition to over one hundred and fifty students of Woji Indigenes in private schools free of charge.
He also said that under his reign as Paramount Ruler of Woji, some companies operating in the area have distributed books, bags to students in the community as well as provision of brand new 18 seater bus for Woji council of Chiefs, among others.
Other achievements, according to Eze Ihunwo include, training of Woji children on pipeline welding, and other skill acquisition with starter pack, empowered over two hundred to Three hundred business men and women in the area and above all, has ensured peace, and stability of the people.
He used the opportunity to thank former Chairman of Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. George Aariolu for assisting Woji Community with development projects.
Responding, the recipient of the five hundred thousand naira Woji scholarship program cheque, Miss Treasure Omasilamchi Ezebunwo expressed gratitude to Woji council of Chiefs, under the rulership of HRH, Eze Amb Dr Emeka Ihunwo for finding her competent for the award of the community scholarship program.
Miss Treasure Omasilamchi Ezebunwo promised that she will do her best to make Woji Community proud.
