By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Alpha Circle Club of Lagos State has awarded scholarships worth ₦3 million to 15 students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, as part of its 2026 Charity Outreach Programme.
Each of the beneficiaries received ₦200,000 to support their educational needs. The beneficiaries comprised indigent students and others who had distinguished themselves through outstanding academic performance.
Speaking during the presentation, Chairman of the 2026 Charity Visit of the Alpha Circle Club, Hon. Ben Anyanwu, said the initiative was designed to invest in the future by supporting students whose academic aspirations could be threatened by financial challenges.
Anyanwu said the club had been involved in charitable activities across Nigeria for more than 35 years, adding that it decided to extend its intervention this year to students in tertiary institutions.
According to him, the programme was aimed at helping indigent students remain in school and complete their studies, while also recognising and encouraging students who had demonstrated academic excellence.
He explained that the beneficiaries were selected by the university based on criteria jointly agreed upon with the club.
Anyanwu said the club deliberately allowed the university to handle the selection process to ensure that students who genuinely met the requirements benefited from the scholarship.
Responding on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Hilda Osisioma, commended the Alpha Circle Club for the gesture.
Osisioma described the intervention as a ray of light at a time when acts of charity appeared to be declining, saying the support would make a meaningful difference in the lives of the beneficiaries.
She particularly appreciated the club for identifying indigent students for assistance while also recognising students who had excelled academically.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor urged the academically outstanding beneficiaries to sustain their performance, while encouraging the indigent students to work towards becoming high-achieving scholars.
She also expressed appreciation to the Alpha Circle Club for selecting UNIZIK as one of the beneficiaries of its 2026 outreach programme, noting that the gesture would contribute positively to the students’ educational pursuits.
Also speaking, the President of the Alpha Circle Club of Lagos, Hon. Leo Okafor, said the decision to extend the club’s charitable activities to university students was driven by its belief that investing in education amounted to investing in the future.
Okafor said the club remained committed to supporting vulnerable members of society through its various charitable initiatives, including visits to charity and orphanage homes.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the scholarship and remain committed to their studies.
