Anirah Foundation gives scholarships, aids to students, widows in Sapele

By Onitsha Shedrack,

 

 

The Felix Anirah Foundation, a non-governmental organization, weekend, gave financial aids to widows and scholarships to students and pupils numbering 42 from Sapele council area of Delta state.

 

The foundation during its official inauguration at the Sapele Athletic Club also gave grants to two post graduate students from the area.

 

Advising the beneficiaries to make judicious use of their benefits, Engr. Peter Aruoture, Prof. Bernard Owumi, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukare, all of whom were guest speakers at the event, urged the students to seize the opportunity to enhance themselves academically with a charge on the women to position themselves economically.

 

In his remark, chairman of the event, Chief Charles Obule described the President of the foundation, Chief Felix Anirah as a seasoned politician and a reputable personality who has decided to spend the rest of his life in humanitarian service.

 

Obule who said Anirah from onset had always believed in giving to the less privilege, explained that he was not surprised when Chief Anirah told him some years ago that he was going into humanitarian service, pointing out that dream some years ago has come to reality with Anirah putting smiles in their faces of the less privilege.

 

Speaking further, Obule revealed that at a time in his political journey, Anirah was given N450million to betray him but he refused the offer adding that since then he has seen the nature of person Anirah portrays, “and this is the reason I have decided to identify with the foundation.”

 

Chief Obule , who is one of the foundation trustee, expressed delight with the path Chief Anirah has decided to tread. “If you know him like I do, you will know the best thing he knows how to do is humanitarian service” Obule went on to urge Anirah to keep up the good work.

 

Earlier in his speech, Chief Felix Anirah said the foundation has been existing for the past ten years, that apart from the widows and the indigent students that have been empowered and given scholarship, that there are other disable and physically challenge persons that the foundation still caring for.

 

Speaking further, Anirah explained that the former South African President, late Nelson Mandela had once said: “What counts in life are not the mere facts that we have lived, but it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

 

“The Felix Anirah Foundation is our little way of helping people who are in real need and we are doing this from the little we have.

“Though the foundation has been running over 10 years, we decided to formerly launch the foundation, so as to fulfill its needed desire.
“We know how it feels to have a child who wants education but there is no money.
He then advised the awardees to make use of the opportunity.”
Others who spoke at the event include ROTN. Akabom Enebong (District Governor Rotary International Club, District 9140 who shared the same passion with Anirah and ROTN. Tony Uba, President of Rotary Club International, Sapele Metropolitan, who gave the welcome address.
Lectures were also given by Engineer Peter Aruoture MNSE (Director of works, local govt (rtd) who spoke on, “The Power of the Mind,” Professor Bernard Owumi ,of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan,  who lectured on ‘Vulnerable Education and Societal development: A fictional paradigm and Professor Tonukari Nyerhovwo, who was ably represented by his wife, who spoke on the title , ‘Education is the Great Equalizer’.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of bags, books and cheques to awardees, and one of the widows Mrs Aghanti Comfort, who spoke on behalf of the widows  treated the crowd to beautiful dance steps while singing and thanking foundation president for the gesture.
Dignitaries present were the Chief Inspector of Education in Sapele local Goverment Area, Mrs Ajumah, Mr and Mrs Cyril Abeye Ogodo, members of the Sapele athletic Club, Rotary Club, parents, Teachers and invited students from schools across the state.