By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Principal, staff, and students of Community Secondary School, Ebenato, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have expressed gratitude to Sir Professor Samuel Uzochukwu for his sustained sponsorship of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for all Senior Secondary 3 students of the school from 2019 to date.
The school, in a formal appreciation letter, signed by the Principal , Mrs. Beatrice Nkiru Ezeonugo, commended the renowned academic for his exceptional generosity and steadfast commitment to education, describing his benevolence as a rare gesture that has continued to transform the lives of students, uplift struggling families, and promote academic excellence in the community.
According to the school authorities, Prof. Uzochukwu’s annual sponsorship of WAEC fees has relieved many parents of financial hardship, inspired renewed enthusiasm among students, and contributed significantly to the rise in student enrollment over the years. They further praised his consistency, noting that he has sustained the initiative as a personal obligation to humanity and to the future of young people in his community.
They also expressed delight that out of all the secondary schools in Anambra State, Prof. Uzochukwu was among the thirteen philanthropists recognized and honoured by the Anambra State Government and the Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC) for their outstanding contributions to educational development. The recognition, it was gathered , took place during the State Cultural Carnival held on October 15, 2025, at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, and attended by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR. The honour was presented to Prof. Uzochukwu by the PPSSC Chairman, Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu.
It was gathered that another deserving philanthropic son of Ebenator community, Mr. Albert O. Mmegwa, was also honoured by the at the event. The awardee, according to the Principal, has been generously paying the salaries of the PTA teachers in the the school for six years, and also recently donated laboratory equipments worth millions of naira to the school. These gestures and educational commitments by two Ebenator stakeholders not only stood them out but also made the community proud at the event, as 2 out of the 13 awards given by the government came to Ebenator.
The Principal, in a separate congratulatory message to Prof. Uzochukwu, described him as “a father, benefactor, and nation-builder,” whose example would continue to inspire generations. They prayed for his continued good health, wisdom, and divine provision to enable him to continue impacting lives through his philanthropic works.
Reacting, Professor Uzochukwu, who is also a respected poet, scholar, and education advocate, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to humanity. He described the commendation from the school as deeply humbling and fulfilling, emphasizing that he derives great joy from seeing young people succeed through education.
He explained that his passion for sponsoring WAEC candidates stemmed from his strong belief that education remains the most powerful weapon for liberation, development, and societal transformation. According to him, many young students have abandoned school due to their inability to pay examination fees, a situation he vowed to address within his means and capability.
Prof. Uzochukwu, who is also the Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu Ọkàmmụta) of Ebenator, reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the annual sponsorship, noting that helping children to access education is a moral responsibility every privileged individual should embrace. He also encouraged the beneficiaries to remain disciplined, focused, and determined to justify the investment in them, stressing that the true reward of philanthropy lies not in praise but in the tangible transformation of lives.
The professor further appreciated Governor Soludo, the PPSSC, and other education stakeholders for recognizing the role of private citizens in supporting the state’s educational system. He urged more individuals and organizations to complement the government’s efforts by contributing to the growth of public schools across the state.
