Miss Nkechinyereze Thomas
The Encouragement Initiative Scholarship scheme, the humanitarian efforts of Dr Rotimi Akinlesi, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and his wife, Dr Bukunola Akinlesi, has produced another graduate, Nkechinyereze Thomas who was supported throughout her university education.
Miss Nkechinyereze Thomas who recently graduated from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State with Second Class Upper Division in French is following closely on the heels of Victoria Banjo, the first graduate produced by the scheme last year.
Banjo studied Marketing at the University of Ilorin and graduated with Second Class Upper too.
The management of EI Scholarship Scheme disclosed this cheering news in a post on their verified Facebook page on Friday.
Miss Thomas, in her testimony said that meeting with the EI Scholarship scheme team led by Dr Akinlesi in 2018 while in SS3 at Isonyin Grammar School, Isonyin Ijebu marked the beginning of things turning around for her good and educational pursuit.
The proud graduate said that but for the intervention of EI Scholarship Scheme, it might be practically impossible for her to have seen the four walls of the university.
Here is her story "I am Nkechinyereze THOMAS from Ebonyi state. I met Dr. Rotimi Akinlesi (DRA) of Less Privileged Children Encouragement Initiative (EI) for the first time in 2018 at Isonyin Grammar school, Isonyin Ijebu, Ogun State.
"Then, I was in SS3. On that day, one of my teachers, Mrs. Adedipe sent for me and told me before his arrival that some group of persons were coming to see me. I was surprised and scared at the same time but very sure that i was not going to be harmed right there in the school. So, I kept my cool.
"When he arrived, I was sent for and before they left, EI paid my school fees, I was given a brand new school bag and a pair of sandals to replace my old and worn out ones. I was also placed on free lunch starting from that day till I graduated from secondary school.
"I was also given packs of sanitary pads donated by Teen Girls Enlightenment Initiative (TGEI) (that marked the beginning of me using sanitary pads as a girl child)
"When it was time to write JAMB, the JAMB fee and all the past JAMB questions were purchased for me to help me prepare well. I wrote and scored 262. I wanted to study accountancy, but I was told that my subject combination was bad. My goodness! When I had the opportunity to be trained as an accountant already? No way.
"I tried my best to gain admission with that combination, but it was to no avail. Then, I had to sit for another O'level examination to get the good combination the school I picked required. Unfortunately , my mathematics was withheld. I became frustrated but still willing to try again.
"In 2020, I wrote the third examination and cleared all my papers with distinctions and Bs. During those times of trials, I found out that accountancy was not really what I wanted, I just wanted it because my friends and school teachers told me to go for it just because I was very good at economics and accounting, but deep down me, I knew I was not really good at calculations. Then, after clearing my papers, I decided to go for what I really wanted and not what I was advised to go for.
"I gained admission in February 2021 and contacted Dr. Akinlesi again. Before resumption, I received payment for my school fees. Over the years, EI has been responsible for my accommodation and tuition fees despite the increment in the fees.
"This is 2024, and I have graduated with SECOND CLASS HONOURS (UPPER DIVISION) in B.Arts ( lettres moderne) from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State. I studied PURE FRENCH. I am more than grateful to this organization because I would not have seen the four walls of the university without their support.
"I am looking forward to Youth service. _Servir ma patrie a toujours éte I'un de rêves mes plus chers_ (serving my fatherland has always been one of my dreams).EI made this possible! Thank you God and God bless EI".
Reacting to another success story of EI's selfless and transformative humanitarian efforts, Dr Akinlesi returned all the glory to God while also thanking his wife and all that are supporting the NGO to continue to bring sunshine into the life of the people.
Dr Akinlesi said "like I always emphasise, the government all over the world cannot do it all, we must all be ready to do our bit to support ourselves and make life better for all. We must all learn to complement the efforts of the government in every area to create a better society.
"We received this cheering news of another graduate from our little efforts with joy and satisfaction. We return all the glory to God and we use this medium to appreciate all our supporters too. We hope to keep this dream alive and keep on impacting our generation for good".
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