The Stephen & Judith Igwe International Education Foundation was formally flagged off on Monday, January 5, 2026, with the award of scholarships and large-scale empowerment programmes targeted at students, youths, men and women across Ebonyi State.
The flag-off ceremony, which took place at the residence of the Foundation’s founder in Ishieke, marked the official commencement of the Foundation’s humanitarian and education-focused interventions. The event began with a Catholic Holy Mass, after which a reception was held for guests and beneficiaries.
At the event, 45 undergraduate students were awarded scholarships valued at ₦200,000 each, as part of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting indigent but academically promising students in the state.
In addition, five (5) outstanding students, selected based on their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), received enhanced scholarships of ₦500,000 each, sponsored by UBA Plc, Ogoja Road Branch, Abakaliki, in recognition of academic excellence.
Beyond education, the Foundation also rolled out economic empowerment initiatives. Fifteen (15) men were empowered with brand new motorcycles to support mobility and livelihood, while over 1,500 women received 10kg bags of rice, wrappers, buckets, and cash gifts as Christmas and New Year support.
The empowerment programmes were designed to provide practical relief and support, particularly to women and youths at the grassroots level, while strengthening household welfare during the festive period.
The Stephen & Judith Igwe International Education Foundation is owned by Hon. Stephen Uchenna Igwe and Chief Mrs. Judith Igwe, whose vision for the Foundation centres on education, empowerment, and community development.
The Foundation stated that its programmes are aligned with the people-oriented development agenda of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwaifuru, particularly in areas of human capital development and social welfare.
The flag-off ceremony attracted community leaders, beneficiaries, religious leaders, and well-wishers, who commended the initiative and described it as a timely intervention that directly addresses education and economic challenges faced by many residents of the state.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining and expanding its programmes in the years ahead, with education remaining a core pillar of its mission.
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