In line with its vision to end the problem of obstructed educational pursuits occasioned by financial incapacitation, a global philanthropic organization, De Imperial Philanthropic Family, DIPF, has presented 25 undergraduates from the five Southeast States of Nigeria, with cheques of one million naira each.
The beneficiaries were top performers in the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB examinations, who have secured admission in various universities in the country.
They were selected through a thorough process involving over 1,000 applicants, conducted by Best Brain Contest, a well-known brand in the educational scholarship ecosystem.
The cheques were presented to the students on Thursday at the award ceremony in Awka, which was attended by the beneficiaries’ parents and members and friends of the philanthropic family.
Presenting the cheques, the DIPF President, Chief Darlington Nwabunike said the ceremony bears eloquent testimony to the association’s belief that through aggressive support for vibrant and qualitative education, the Southeast can recharge its human capital resource for meaningful growth and development.
Chief Nwabunike noted that the Family currently has 1,012 beneficiaries from the Southeast region under its scholarship programme and announced plans to expand the programme nationally.
He also said they are focused on strengthening the capacity matrix of teachers through world-class, high-tech professional exposures.
“In due course, teachers across the Southeast region will be availed of certified programmes of self and skill development.
“I appreciate the commitment of the global membership of De Imperial Philanthropic Family for their sacrifice that saw this vision to reality. I also appeal to the social and political leadership across jurisdictions in the Southeast to prioritize quality education as an elixir for a meaningful future for our youths,” Nwabunike said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the group’s Education Committee, Chief Chikezie Okonkwo, noted that the beneficiaries were able to succeed through discipline, resilience, and exceptional performance, and that the was supported by a diligent assessment of the DIPF.
He commended the initiative, which he attributed to the commitment of the Family’s leadership to youth development and educational advancement, reminding the beneficiaries that they owe a duty to themselves and their benefactors to make the utmost use of the opportunity.
“This scholarship is not for celebration. Rather, it is a responsibility for the beneficiaries.
“You all are now ambassadors of excellence, discipline, and integrity, and we expect you to remain focused, uphold the values of hard work, and use this opportunity to positively impact your families, communities, and the nation at large,” Okonkwo advised the young people.
He also appreciated the Best Brain Contest for the professionalism and transparency displayed in coordinating the scholarship examination and selection process.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Best Brain Contest, Dr Frank Igbojindu, revealed that the partnership with the DIPF, whose membership he noted comprises wealthy personalities from the five Southeast States, has been quite exemplary in providing succour for young people looking for support to prosecute their academic pursuits.
Dr. Igbojindu encouraged other high-net-worth individuals in the Southeast to emulate the strides of the DIPF in prioritizing education, rewarding merit, and inspiring the future generation.
One of the beneficiaries, Lifted Emefiena, who scored 298 in JAMB and applied to study Medicine and Surgery at the Abia State University, expressed gratitude to the philanthropic organization for providing him the scholarship opportunity, and vowed to repay them with hard-work and good grades.
Other beneficiaries, including Amarachi Okebugwu, who scored 332 and is studying Medicine and Surgery at the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, and Ifeanyi Praise, who scored 326 and is studying Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, expressed happiness that the scholarship has lifted a huge financial burden off their shoulders, praying God to reward their benefactors.
The ceremony culminated in the presentation of cheques and certificates of award to the Family’s ambassadors, who were the beneficiaries and their parents.
