Rose Tony University Scholarship Program

Introduction

At a time when the poor and rich are crying over the global economic meltdown, Lolo Rose Tony Chukwu, amiable wife of Chief Tony Chukwu of Umueze 1 in Mbano, Imo State is sacrificing millions of Naira to award scholarships to indigent students. The scholarships enable recipients to attend universities and other institutions of higher learning all over the country. A total of 34 scholarships have been awarded so far at the cost of millions of naira per year.

The scholarship program was started in 2007 and is managed by Rose Tony Foundation (a non-governmental organization founded by Lolo Rose Tony Chukwu). Scholarships were initially restricted to indigenes of Umueze 1, Mbano in Imo State. In 2008, it was extended to Ehime Mbano. Then in 2009, it was further extended to other local government areas, including Afikpo North in Ebonyi State, birthplace of the financier.

This development saw the emergence of five beneficiaries from Afikpo in 2009. They are: Ugwu Benjamin Otu, Okpara Matthew Aluu, Aluu Victor Ogbonnia, Onwogo Orieoma Chukwu and Isu Rita Chisom.

The award ceremony for the 2009/2010 scholarship beneficiaries was held at the financier’s elegant compound in Umueze 1, Mbano on 29th December, 2009. At the ceremony, sixteen (16) beneficiaries were presented with award certificates amidst a thunderous ovation. Each beneficiary will receive N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) per year for a period of four years to help offset their educational expenses.

The magnanimity displayed by Lolo Rose Tony Chukwu should serve as a challenge to other wealthy Nigerians to use their wealth for the wellbeing of the downtrodden. By extending her philanthropy to so many in need, Lolo Rose has sent a message that wealth and riches are meaningless if not channeled towards the benefit of the less fortunate.

Two people affiliated with the Rose Tony Foundation deserve special mention. Hon. E. E. Osuagwu (former Member, Federal House of Representatives representing Ehime, Mbano) is the Foundation Chairman. Professor Sir (Chief) Donatus Ikechukwu of the University of Port Harcourt introduced meritocracy into the scholarship scheme. The combined knowledge, experience and creativity of this duo helped to strengthen the Foundation and the Scholarship Program.

The efforts of Lolo Rose and the Rose Tony Foundation deserve the active support of everyone reading this. You may show your support by contacting the Rose Tony Foundation to offer words of encouragement and/or to make a donation. National and international donors and donor agencies are equally welcome to show their support. The contact information is:

Phone: 0803-507-7850, 0705 566 6645

Email: lolorose.tony@gmail.com

Excerpts from an Interview with Lolo Rose Tony Chukwu, Founder and Financier

How it all started: It all started when the thought stirred in me to do something in appreciation for what God has done for me and my family. I talked to my husband about having a statue of the Virgin Mary, where people could go and pray. At the end of the day, the space was not large enough to accommodate what I had in mind. Yet the desire was strong in me to put in place something that would serve like a symbolic expression of my gratitude to God. Since I have promised God, I said I must have to be grateful to Him. I want to put in more for my people in order to help them to achieve their own goals.

I decided to talk to my husband. He said it is OK for us to decide to do a scholarship program, which we started two years ago from Ehime Mbano. Now, we have about eighteen (18) students already in the university [excluding the new crop of recipients] - all from my husband’s place.

At some point in the journey the thought to expand the program came to my mind. I told my husband that they say charity begins at home, but it does not end there. I told him that I wish to move my hand a little bit to where I was born in order for them to enjoy the good things that Ehime Mbano people are having. He said okay. We contacted one of the professors at the University of Port Harcourt, Professors Don. I discussed with him. We were able to put together an aptitude test for candidates to take in Afikpo and Ehime Mbano.

When we discussed with them, we decided that anybody that had a score we were looking for will qualify for the scholarship. Five of the candidates from Afikpo did well. We merged them with eleven successful ones from Ehime Mbano. In all we have 34 students in tertiary institutions enjoying the Rose Tony University Scholarships.

Qualifications for scholarship candidates: You must have your West African School Certificate (WASC). You must pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and you must pass our aptitude test and produce your letter of admission from a recognized institution of higher learning in Nigeria. This is the basis upon which we give the scholarship.

How we prevent fraudulent practices: Actually when we started, we gave scholarship to students who did not have people to help them in their education. They were intelligent children and they needed assistance. Because we know what is going on in the society now, where some people write examination for others, our Foundation introduced its own aptitude test, which candidates must write and pass. This has gone a long way to prevent fraudulent practices.

Advert: We use the churches (the Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian and others) to advertise for candidates. That is the way we make announcement.

How merit is sustained: We monitor the performances of the scholarship holders as they progress in their educational quest. This helps to ensure that the quality of holders is sustained. We ask them to submit their results and we check with the cooperation of their departments to find out the authenticity or otherwise of their results. We have a Professor who is very familiar with the Nigerian university system. He does a thorough job of it. He calls the respective university departments to ascertain whether the results submitted are genuine.

Nature of the scholarship: It is monetized. The value of the scholarship is N100, 000. Each candidate gets this amount for his or her upkeep. If recipient is running a four-year program, we provide funds until he or she completes the program. If it is a two-year program, we stop payment when the recipient goes for his one year Industrial Training (IT). We continue when he comes back for his Higher National Diploma (HND)

About the Foundation: The Foundation is a non-governmental organization (NGO). It is a charitable organization to help people in need. It has been in existence for two years. The name is Rose Tony Chukwu Foundation. We have the intention to broaden the scope of the scholarship. We are working hard to expand it.

Occupation: I am business woman. I engage in importation of provisions from England and the US. I reside in Port Harcourt from where I distribute to all the stores in Port Harcourt, Aba, Lagos and Abuja, big time.

Hobby: Dancing. I like to dance a lot. I like chatting with children. I have seven Children. Mariam Makeba from South Africa is my favorite artist. I can dance and dance to her music and forget every other thing.

What she wants to be remembered for: I want to be remembered for having a closer walk with God and being prayerful. I want to be known as a woman who appreciates her husband. I love my husband so much because he is a wonderful person. He is somebody that does not want you to cry at any point in time. He is there for the family all the time. I owe him so much. I am grateful to him for allowing me extend my hand through the Foundation to where I hail from, Afikpo. It is not easy.

Excerpts from an Interview with Hon. E. E. Osuagwu, Chairman of the Foundation

I am the chairman of the Foundation. When we started, it was a wonderful event. I presided over the screening of candidates. Initially, we were thinking that the woman (Lolo Rose) was just joking. I came in from Lagos and she brought me into it.

Initially, I had some doubts about the viability of the program because similar programs have been started in the past and failed to go beyond the foundation stage. Besides, the take-off grant was fantastic, lifting some homes that cannot afford what it takes to send their children to university. I, for one, was so much amazed that the scholarship program was providing such buoyant take-off funds. But thank God she (Lolo Rose) has been able to keep it up.

The number she started with was amazing. I am a father and I have been in the Federal House of Representatives. At my level, I can appreciate what education means. For this woman to initiate such program starting with the number she took off with and the value she gave it was fantastic. I thought that she was joking. But when she really fulfilled it openly and gave out such lump sums to beneficiaries, it was and still is rather unbelievable.

It has even improved the thinking of our people. A few days ago, I was at the airport on my way from Abuja when a saw me. She identified herself as one of those who witnessed what Lolo Rose Tony Chukwu is doing and that she loved it and she wished she was one of those people who benefitted from it.

Most of the beneficiaries come from very poor homes. When talking about lifting the people and relieving the rural people from poverty, I think this is an example of taking a giant stride in the right direction.

How the community feels about the scholarships: The scholarship program has helped to abate acrimony in the community. Starting from Umueze 1 and extending to the entire Local Government Area, almost every kindred has someone who got a scholarship. You can imagine what it means. If there was anybody that thought education was not worth it before, this woman has bridged the gap. It is really wonderful and fantastic.

Internet exposure: I am impressed with the effort you people (EbonyiOnline.com) are making. The project would have received only limited exposure internally at Umueze 1. But this is going beyond that now. As you know, the world now is a global village. With what you are doing, I think this program will go places. I am going to talk to Rose now personally and if she does not know the value of what you are doing, I will make her to appreciate it.

With internet exposure, we hope that the scholarship program will get support, even from overseas. It is purely a humanitarian service and non-governmental. We hope that many organizations in Europe and America who see this on the internet will support what she (Lolo Rose) is doing.

Excerpts from an Interview with Prof. Sir (Chief) Donatus Ikechukwu Anyawu, Co-administrator of the Foundation

I got involved in 2008 when this scholarship award was taking place for the second time. Before then Mrs. Rose Tony Chukwu had called me to help her preside over the award event. A few days before the award, I was asked to interview the candidates, screen their certificates and select those that would benefit from the award. I came here and completed the task two days before the day of the award.

On the day of the award, I was made the chairman of the occasion. During that occasion, I reminded Chief Tony Chukwu and his wife that a scholarship is never gotten on a platter of gold. A scholarship must be based on hard work and hard work determines merit. I then suggested that it would not be nice for him to concentrate on giving scholarship to his village people, even when they are not really qualified. Instead it would pay more to extend this award beyond Umueze community. Chief Tony Chukwu and his wife welcomed my suggestion.

Because I have been in the University system for 33 years, I was given the assignment to generate the test questions, conduct the exams and select those that will be useful to the scholarship and those who will value it.

I got involved and tackled the job head on. I generated 100 questions involving English language, Mathematics and General Knowledge. The announcement was made in all the various churches and the date was fixed for the 28th November, 2009.

Before the 28th of November, 2009, I had already arranged to bring two sound lecturers teaching in my secondary school to join me and others in conducting the examination. We screened the students and I found that 24 of them were already studying in various universities and polytechnics. We started to screen and label. The examination was conducted. A total of 102 candidates took the examination.

I did the marking myself. It took me 2 weeks to mark, grade, type the results and arrange them in order of merit. This is what I did until 2 days before the award when we started meeting here to go review the list and fix the cut off. Yesterday (a day before the award), we conducted the interview for those that were considered and have done well.

What impressed me so much was that Tony Chukwu and his wife were able to accept my advice and extend the scholarship beyond Umueze 1 community. And in same vein, it gave his wife the opportunity to extend the award to Afikpo.

I sealed the Afikpo paper and called Lady Otuu. I said to her, “These questions are coming to you. On no account should anybody tamper with it. If it is tampered with, in the forthcoming years, Afikpo people will have to come to Mbano to take the examinations under my supervision, if it becomes necessary. But if you conduct it well, I will always trust you.”

The papers were sent to her. She finished the exam and sealed them. Today 5 of them have been given the award. And all these 5 have already gotten their admission letter. So in actual sense, they have collected their certificates today and their money will be made available any time from now.

How candidates are assessed to ensure fair and fraud-proof results: For the following reasons, I believe that our assessment is fraud-free. First, I and my colleagues conducted the examination to assess candidates. As soon as we concluded the examination, I parceled them. Second, I marked the papers myself. I tell you, the assessment can never be questioned.

Third, after marking, I re-visited some papers that appeared doubtful to me. Two examples come readily to mind here. I discovered, after marking, that two children of the same family had high scores. I took their papers and checked whether or not they copied from each other. They did not. If they did, they would have scored the same marks. But one got what the other did not get. That was how I calculated and concluded that they did not copy from each other. Another instance was two undergraduates that came from the same family. Both were from the same parents with similar names. One had 57 and the other had 56. Again, I went through the papers. If they copied from each other, it would have been evident. But nothing of such was revealed during my investigation.

To make sure that it was open and tightly monitored, the examination was conducted in our local government hall with many people invigilating for sixty minutes (1hour). In addition, question papers were photocopied the morning of the examination day. I did this myself. If any other person did it, I might be suspicious. Since I did it myself, I cannot question the assessment as far as marking the scripts is concerned.

The examination was set using my computer. They are still in my computer now. No other person has access to my computer. My password, you cannot gain access to it. Answers are still in my computer as well.

Above all, I generated the answers to the questions after the examination. I wrote them on a big envelope, from numbers 1 – 100. I used the answers to mark the correct ones.

We do post UME in the university. We can go into the archive and generate up to 1000 questions now for any examination.

On why announcement was limited to churches alone: As you know, I live in Port Harcourt. The event was happening in the local government here in Mbano. I had to utilize Balogun, the M.C. He is very versatile. He is a wonderful man, indeed. Because every community has a church, whether Anglican, Catholic or whatever, we decided to use them and Balogun was helpful here. The announcement reached all around the community. If it did not, we would not have had up to 102 candidates coming for the examination within a short time. Yes, churches are the best places you can make announcement.

The need to expand the scholarship program: We would like to increase the number of beneficiaries served by the scholarship program. But this depends on the people that are funding the Foundation. The Foundation started with Mrs. Tony Chukwu alone funding the scholarship awards to people in Umueze community for the first and second year. Maybe in the future, some other personalities within this area may decide to be part of it and help them in sponsoring more scholarships. That is the only way it can go beyond the current stage.

If Chief Tony Chukwu and his wife cannot go beyond the current stage on their own, perhaps some individuals can say this year, let me sponsor two awards. Another can say let me sponsor four. If it goes on that way, it becomes a program that is circulating not only within Mbano, but beyond. Well, it has started going beyond already since Afikpo is presently involved.

As it is going on the internet, a lot of individuals and philanthropists may decide to be involved. Even myself, I can decide tomorrow to be part of it. I know some individuals I am paying their fees in the university. I know some my wife has given scholarship in our secondary school. I have an international nursery/primary school in Port Harcourt. So some families who cannot cope, we give them scholarship. Some of these children are intelligent and deserve a helping hand.

Impact of the scholarship program on the community: It has boosted the desire and craving for education in Umueze community. For example if you had watched the play presented by the former awardees, you will realize that they have learnt a lot by utilizing this award.

I remember last year, one of the individuals that initiated this play was almost crying here because she came late almost when the process had been concluded. She said she was going to kill herself and we said no. We considered her. Today she initiated that play. When the award was given last year, she represented the rest to present an address.

Now the people are very anxious and hopeful. If you look at the performance, people from Umueze were the best. This is because they knew that the examination will be taking place and will be judged on merit. So they prepared very well for it. Others saw it as a mere announcement and they responded casually. Umueze candidates capitalized on it and worked hard. As a result, they won 10 of the 16 scholarships awarded this year. This is a very positive development for the community.

Excerpts from an Interview with Mrs. Eke Dorothy Osinachi, Secretary of the Foundation

Down here we are happy; happy in the sense that this is the first of its kind. The financier, being a woman, is amazing! We have men, who can do this, yet she braved all odds. It is a bold declaration that what men can do, women can also achieve.

Imagine her large heart! If she has to be scored, in my judgment, she would score far more than the 100% bar!

How the community feels about the program: People in the community are happy. They are happy in the sense that the scholarship award is not restricted to a particular family. It is an opportunity available to everybody. It touches every family and every village.

Like I told you, we started with twelve recipients. As there are six villages in Umueze 1, two candidates were awarded scholarships from each village. On the second year, six additional scholarships were awarded; each of the six villages got one scholarship. On the third year, we then broadened the scope of the award on to the current number of sixteen recipients. We not only extended it to other villages and communities in Ehime, Mbano Local Government Area, but extended it beyond Imo state to Ebonyi State – Afikpo precisely.

Scholarship Recipients

2009/2010 (16 Recipients):

• • Chuma Okechukwu – Akanu Ibiam Federal Polythecnic, Unwanna (100 Level)
• • Ugwu Benjamin Otu – Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (100 Level)
• • Onwogo Orieoma Chukwu – Our Saviour Institute of Science (100 Level)
• • Isu Chisom Rita – Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (100 Level)
• • Aluu Victor Ogbonnia – Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (100 level)
• • Okpara Matthew Aluu – Akanu Ibiam Federal Polythecnic, Unwanna (100 Level)
• • Nnodim Okechukwu – Federal University of Technology Owerri (100 Level)
• • Anyawu Great C. – Imo State University, Owerri (100 Level)
• • Chukwuemeka Chukwu – Federal University of Technology Owerri (100 Level)
• • Chukwu Nnamdi – Federal University of Technology Owerri (100 Level)
• • Anua Bright Chukwu – Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka (100 Level)
• • Ogbonnia Henry Osita – University of Calabar, Calabar (100 Level)
• • Anthony Chidiebere Nwaiwu – Abia State University, Uturu-Okigwe (100 Level)
• • Duru David Chinanso – Imo State University, Owerri (100 Level)

2008/2009 (6 Recipients):

• • Eze Onyinyechi Chiebuka
• • Osondu Aturuchi Adaeze
• • Mbachu Christiana
• • Ugode Cosmas
• • Uchenna Nkedirim
• • Kalu Agnes

2007/2008 (12 Recipients):

• • Iwuji Cosmos Odinaka
• • Onwumere Ogechi Christiana
• • Iwuagwu Herieta Ezine
• • Egwin Stella
• • Elelaka Mary
• • Oguoke Lilian Onyinyechi
• • Nwokorie Marieta Chinaza
• • Onyemuta Lasbery
• • Nwokorie Ijeoma Maria Dorathy
• • Ihieze Grace
• • Okoro Elochukwu Paul
• • Ebochikere Anthonia

Comments from Some of the Beneficiaries

Onwumere, Ogechi Christiana: 2007/2008 beneficiary. Institution: University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Course of study: Library science and information combined with English language. Level: 200

I felt I was in a dream when it all happened. But finally, after I slept and woke up, I pinched myself and I realized that it was actually happening for real.

I will say it is the Lord’s doing. I make bold to say the Foundation was founded for me. I say this because all through the period of my admission, I was just doing it out of faith. I had not even one naira on me, nothing to pay my school fees. Hope was not forthcoming anywhere. I reminded God constantly to make provision for me anyhow. There was no hope at all. My intention was to come back home after securing my admission with the required registration fee of N5,000 and go round to some prominent people in Mbano to help me raise my school fees.

As luck would have it, I came back to my community to learn that there was a scholarship program going on. I put in and within the spate of thirty minutes, I was taken. It is just the Lord’s doing.

It has been helpful. I am telling you the truth from the bottom of my heart; without this Foundation, I do not think I would be where I am today. It is a stepping stone; in fact, it is just my life. The scholarship is just tied to my life. I just give God thanks.

Eke Onyinyechi: 2008/2009 beneficiary. Institution: Abia State University Uturu-Okigwe. Course of Study: Industrial Chemistry. Level: 200. Home town: Umueze 1, Umunano

I felt very happy. It has helped us a lot. And it has helped me in particular so much.

How? It has been useful to me in my school activities, especially to absorb the high cost of schooling, payment of school fees, departmental levies and whatever we have to pay. It has been very useful.

My advice to others seeking to enjoy the scholarship is this: work hard, read their books and be full of determination before applying for the scholarship.

Anyawu Great: 2009/2009 beneficiary. Institution: Imo State University. Course of Study: English and literary studies. Home town: Ehime Mbano

I feel excited and overwhelmed. When you give somebody something worth more than gold, you expect him to give back much more in return.

Having benefited from a scholarship scheme, I will work hard work hard to justify this blessing. As a future leader, I will work hard to support other people. For example, the professor who interviewed us made it known that he benefited from a scholarship scheme during his years of study. He was well determined and today he is supporting this scholarship scheme.

By the grace of God, I will work hard at my studies, come out with good grades and go for further studies. I will help the society and in particular my community (Ehime Mbano). I will help to groom little children who are finding it difficult to go to school.

Benjamin Otu: 2009/2010 beneficiary. Institution: Ebonyi State University. Home town: Afikpo

I feel very glad and excited about this opportunity. I will make the best of it. The scholarship should go on. It is a thing of joy.

I will use the money from the scholarship program to buy necessary textbooks and pay for other essentials. I will not use the money frivolously.

My advice to those aspiring to get the scholarship is that they should work hard and try. There is no harm in trying. I will come their way in no distant time.

Okpara Matthew Aluu: 2009/2010 beneficiary. Institution: Akanu Ibiam Federal Polythecnic, Unwanna. Course of study: Electrical electronics. Home town: Afikpo

I wish to express my profound gratitude to Mrs. Rose Tony Chukwu for making this award a possibility and a success.