Kalu Establishes N100m Endowment Chair In UI

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, on Wednesday established N100 million endowment chair in the University of Ibadan to help brilliant students of the institution to settle down into businesses of their choice after graduation.

Kalu made this known when he visited the Vice Chancellor of UI, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, in his office as part of his Peace Advocacy Visit to the South West, which kicked off last weekend in Lagos and took him and his entourage to Abeokuta in Ogun State on Tuesday.

Kalu, who established the chair through his foundation, Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, explained that four best four best graduating students from the institution would be endowed with N250,000 each, commencing from the next convocation that will hold in November this year.

He explained that the endowment was instituted to encourage young ones and empower them to start-up a livelihood after graduation, saying the beneficiaries would be drawn from the faculties of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.

According to him: “This programme started five years ago and many students have benefitted from it.

“I am saying it frankly that some of those who have benefitted have made big money from it.

“We will like to see such happening here also.

“We are very sorry for coming late, but I hope it will reach the targeted mission.”

The Executive Secretary, Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, Rev. Jemaimah Kalu, said the mission of OUKF is to secure a brighter future for all, irrespective of age brackets, adding that the foundation has been putting smiles on the faces of the underprivileged in every part of the country.

Rev. Kalu noted that four best graduating students of the Department of Political Science, Economics and Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsuka have benefited from the kindness of the founder of OUKF, saying the best students were endowed with N250,000 each.

She stated further that the OUKF also initiated a micro credit scheme for petty traders – Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation Interest Free Loan Scheme – adding that the scheme is in line with the United Nations 2030 poverty eradication and development goals agenda.

Rev. Kalu disclosed that the foundation has also been paying school fees of indigent students, enlightening the public on political issues and health matters, taking care the elderly by giving them money and food and reaching out to women because of its belief in gender equality.

In Abia North Senatorial District, according to her, close to N60 million has been spent by the OUKF to empower scores of people, including petty traders, since the beginning of this year, saying the gesture would also be extended to Oyo State and beyond.

Her words: “This foundation has done same endowment at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where four overall best students got N250,000 to start-up their lives.

“We are not limiting this to the institution, hence our letter to UI, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

“We also take care of the elderly and we have also organised seminars and workshops aimed at empowering our unemployed youths.