Dr. Eric Umeofia, the Chief Executive Officer and President of Erisco Foods Limited, has announced that Kamsiyochukwu Umeh, who scored the highest on the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, will receive a cash gift of N2.5 million.
Umeh, an applicant from the Deeper Life High School in Mowe, Ogun State, won the UTME with a score of 360. She earned 99 points in chemistry, 98 points in math, 97 points in physics, and 66 points in English.
The student’s interview with Saturday PUNCH on July 1, 2023, moved Umeofia, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday.
The businessman also announced that the school’s principal, four subject teachers, and two additional top students would all receive cash awards.
The Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and English teachers at the school would receive N100,000 each, while the school’s administrator, Pastor Eze Emmanuel, would receive N200,000.
Andrew Imoukhuede, a different student from the school, who received a score of 355, would receive N100,000. The third-place finisher would receive N50,000.
Umeofia clarified that the intention behind the act was to inspire other students to achieve academic success.
“I also do this,” he continued, “not because I am wealthy, but because my father taught me that generosity is the key to a long life and happiness. We hope that other young women will succeed as this young girl has and help solve the problem facing this nation. In this country, the youth are our only hope.
“I’m pleased that she won the competition among the 1.6 million students who took the test. My spirit is jubilant. Being that she is from Amish Town in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, I am especially happy. Because the end of the civil war took place in Amish Town and where (former president Olusegun) Obasanjo accepted Biafra’s surrender, our community is one that values peace. Myself and this girl are presenting our village in a positive light. They must take action to make us happy if we as parents have suffered to send our children to school.
The businessman claimed to have given over N500 million in grants to people with business ideas through his foundation, which is said to provide scholarships to over 100 students. He added that his action was intended to support the economy.
Umeofia was delighted that Umeh intended to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, and he promised to help her as long as she continued to receive top grades.
He continued, “I want to encourage other philanthropists to follow suit so we can have her type in various areas. Because they lack facilities, some students are struggling. Others have no backers. A few people need to eat. Why won’t they do well if we encourage them to read?
Additionally, he urged the Federal Government to implement sensible policies that would motivate exceptional students like Umeh to stay in the nation after they complete their educations in order to support the economy.
