Christmas: Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars, doles out N5.1m to 84 students as scholarships

By Akpan David, Calabar

Instead of gifts of rice and chickens, the Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars, (ABAS), has decided to surprise 84 students of Nigerian and few other African nationals with scholarships worth N5,150,000 to enable them mark this Yuletide season.

The gifts is also part of the Divine Manifestation of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, the founder and sustained of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star holding on 30 December 2024 in all formations of the spiritual organisation.

International president of the scholastic Association,  Ngwu Ekuma Ngwu said “The scholarship is more enduring and rewarding than Christmas rice and chicken.  It will help mould the future of the young scholars”

He made the presentation when they met in Calabar,  Cross River State capital, for their terminal meeting to mark end of the year.

Ekuma who is vice chairman of Biase Local Government Area of the State said, “The sums of money should help supports school fees and costs of their researches as schools resume next few weeks.”

Sixty Indigent students received N60,000 each for their school fees next term of 2025, amounting to N3,600,000.

Three Postgraduate students got N200,000 each, amounting to N600,000, while five graduates got N150,000 each for Business Empowerment Grant.

The group also paid WAEC fees for 12 students of  BROMCO group of schools in Calabar worth N200,000.

In an engagement event tagged, ‘Impromptu Spoken Word Challenge’, to test oratory prowess of University students, a female student, Trinity Emana of ABAS Akamkpa Area Chapter  in Cross  River won the 1st prize of N100k.

Another female of University of Calabar (UNICAL), Ordained Imowo got the second prize of N50,000.

Alex Ralph got N20,000  while Marvelous Augustine, both of University of Cross River State (UniCross), won N15,000 as 3rd and 4th prizes respectively.

The 5th prize of N15,000 went to Esther Solomon of University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Trinity Emana expressed profound happiness for winning the Challenge, saying the money will extensively help to defray her school bills.

“I must thank God immensely for using the leadership of ABAS to reduce the financial burdens of our parents and guardians during these hard times.

“For us, the recipients, this is the best Christmas gifts we have received. We will judiciously apply these scholarships”, she said.

Lucky Udoekong, an official of the faith based association explained that their memberships consist of University lecturers, graduates and undergraduates, including secondary schools students with chapters in many countries.