By Olusegun Olanrewaju
An NGO, the Namita Mazumdar Endowment Fund (NMEF) has held Ughelli its Third Award/Prize-giving day.
The ceremony, which was held in partnership with the Anglican Girls’ Grammar School (AGGS) at the School Hall, came up on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
The annual Award/Prize Giving event was founded by Mrs Namita Mazumdar, a former principal of the school with a Board of Trustees chaired by Mrs Stellamaris Ufuoma Omu (a retired school principal/renowned educationist).
The core objective of the endowment fund revolves around the need to promote high disciplinary standards among students of the school by giving deserving students of the senior and junior secondary (SSS & JSS) awards/prizes at an elaborate ceremony.
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In his remarks at the occasion, the chairman of the occasion, Mr Cyril Ogude, an old boy of Government College Ughelli, demonstrated his dynamic philanthropy by donating magnanimously at the occasion.
The same was the case with the special guest of honour/school proprietor, Rev. Cyril Odutemu, who is the Archbishop, of Bendel Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ughelli Diocese.
An old girl, Prof Francisca Egbokhare, from the Department of Computer Science, University of Benin, delivered a well-received keynote address themed ‘Career Prospects in Information and Communication Technology and Guidance and Counselling’.
The Mother of the Day was Mrs Palestine Eghove, an old girl, who also represented the Class of 1977 in their donation of a new school sign board that was unveiled and dedicated on the same occasion.
Other interesting highlights at the occasion included a question-and-answer session which was awarded with prizes for the students, as well as a cultural display by four different groups of students. There were also refreshments for all.
The award/prize-giving ceremony was well attended on-site and online. No fewer than 500 participants graced the occasion, among which were notably Dame Rosaline Edobor, the Chairman of the Diocesan Education Advisers’ Committee; Rev. Atevure Ezekiel College (the principal of the school), Rev. Canon Godblessing Igho Anago, (the immediate past principal) and his wife; old girls, teachers, staff and students, as well as awardees and past awardees.
The awardees in the senior secondary school cadre are Ms Esikomunu Floxxy Akpevweoghene, Jemifor Ikuesiri, Echerebor Angel Oghenetekevwe, Ibagere Enifome
In the JSS cadre Miss Anago Uvietobore Dominant and Odjighere Oghenetejiri were rewarded.
The NMEF which kicked off in 2021 has as its Board of Trustees members: Mrs Namita Mazumdar (The founder); Mrs Stellamaris Omu (nee Akpore) Chairperson; Mrs Siomenoja Telkman (nee Onuorah) Secretary; Prof Ngozi Iloh (nee Ozulu) Assistant Secretary: Mrs Veronica Iwebema (nee Oyibokia) Financial Secretary; Mrs Alice Akpiroroh (nee Ekperigin) Public Relations Secretary; Mrs Ighotuwere Inana (nee Akatugba) Welfare Secretary and Ms Veronica Uvwroma (Assistant Welfare Secretary)
A statement signed by the Assistant Secretary, Mrs Stellamaris Omu, and chairperson, Prof Ngozi Iloh, said the NMEF has become a rallying force for the old girls of AGGS worldwide, as they are getting more conscious of the need to give back to their alma mater.
“It is worthy of note that the award winners for the SSS category in the last two years are already doing very well in their chosen careers in the universities within and outside the country. We look forward to a greater outing in the coming years, the statement added.
