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…says educational excellence entrenched by Ugwuanyi aided the feat 

Debbie Egbo & Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

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In line with the resolve of his administration to identify with, and promote the spirit of excellence, the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Council Area, Hon Uchenna Ejim, has honored and awarded an exceptional student, Ekwochi, Somtochukwu Chidiebere, for her outstanding performance in the recently concluded West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, with the sum of one million naira.

Ekwochi who hails from Ndiagu, Umueze-Awkunanaw, Nkanu West LG, emerged with nine alphas (9As) in the 2022 WASSCE.

Speaking at the award ceremony which took place at the headquarters of Nkanu West Local Government on Friday, September 16, 2022, Ejim who was visibly joyful, appreciated the efforts of the student and described her as a beacon of hope and light in a society plagued with insecurity and hardship.

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In his words, “Today, we celebrate excellence, proper parental upbringing, hard work that pays-the excellence that Nkanu West is known for, the excellence that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has entrenched in Enugu state for the past 7 years.

“Today, we celebrate Somtochukwu Ekwochi for making us proud. I’m certain that when she encounters any difficulty, with our prayers and guide, she will overcome and the sky will be her limit”.

The Secretary of the local council, Hon Offor Nnajiofor Hyacinth, in his remarks, referred to Nkanu West as the land of heroes, heroes in human development. He stated that Nkanu West had produced a lot of heroes with world records in academic pursuits. He wished Ekwochi well, noting that “as you’re growing and making additional inputs, you’ll keep flying higher”.

Hon Steve Oruruo, the Special Adviser to Enugu Governor on Information, who is also from the council, commended Ekwochi’s efforts.

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“Somtochukwu resonates with excellence and shall become the standard-bearer of what a young person should be. On this day it is with joy, respect for human dignity, honor extraordinary brilliance that we receive her in our midst.

“There is no hindrance, stumbling block, stereotype, shackles and chains that cannot be broken provided we are focused and committed to seriousness in our endeavors. The standard has been set, but it is also a trial for you; having achieved academic success from primary school, the main trial has just started, show us you can do more and we shall be proud of you.”

Corroborating the position of the council chairman, Ejim, Oruruo said “I will speak from the heart. What we have come to do is in consonance with the deliberate attempt by the state government to reposition education”.

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Oruro also issued a scholarship gift of 100,000 naira cheque to Somtochukwu Ekwochi.

The Supervisor for Education in the council, Chief Sylvester Nkwonta, expressed his delight and joy for such exceptional performance, encouraging her not to relent.

The father of the student, Barr. Sunday Ekwochi expressed his gratitude to the chairman and attributed his daughter’s success to God’s grace and hard work. He described her as a star from birth, listing her numerous success and academic achievements from kindergarten to the completion of high school.

“Having recognized the talent that God has given her, I saw it as a responsibility to support and encourage her so that she doesn’t get derailed. One thing is to have the talent another thing is to know that it requires hard work to bring it to success.

“There’s no success without sweat, even if you have been gifted. When you work hard and pray hard you’ll get to where you want to get to”.

Presenting the award of one million naira scholarship fund to the student, the chairman stated that the honor should encourage other students to do well, promising to continue to make deliberate efforts at honoring outstanding students and improve learning standards in Nkanu West. He also disclosed that there’s a “Back to School” program which helps provide books, writing and learning materials for students.

Hon Chukwuma Ani, Cheif Whip of Nkanu West legislative council, also supported the student with a financial gift and encouraged her to attain more successes.

Somtochukwu Ekwochi, in her vote of thanks, expressed happiness and gratitude to God. She appreciated the chairman and everyone who gave other monetary gifts and promised to be a royal and radiant ambassador of the local government, Enugu state and Nigeria as a whole.

Those who witnessed the event were Hon Chijioke Oscar Ngene, the Deputy Chairman of the council, Hon Solomon Onah, the Executive Chairman of Udenu, his Nkanu East and Igboeze North counterparts, Hon Sydney Edeh and Hon Samson Itodo, Hon Nnamdi Nwafor, Prof Ekwochi and Mr. Sam Udekwe, Enugu NUJ Chairman.

Others were Osita Ekwochi, Nwatu Veronica Nnaemeka Ani, Chukwuma Ani, Monday Ngene, Ray Nnamani, Okoli John, and other local council legislators.

Students from Ozalla High School, Government College, Agbani, Community Secondary School, Attakwu and Technical College, Akpugo, were also in attenndance.

Ekwochi Somtochukwu Chidiebere attended Deeper Life High School, Mowe campus. Recently, she gained admissions to study Law at Babcock University and Afe Babalola University.