Rivers first lady sets up education foundation in honour of father

Wife of the Governor of River State, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Wike has set up an education foundation in honour of Elder Dr Ikechukwu Amadi Obuzor, with an obligation to assist indigent students.

The foundation was announced on Friday, during the celebration of the 80th birthday of her father at Odiokwu Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement, Justice Suzzette explained that the education foundation, which is in honour of her father’s legacy, has been set up to help indigent students in Odiokwu and other parts of the State realize their academic aspirations.

“Everywhere in the world, there is poverty. So, there are people who need a good education. And the more education we give to people, the more light we bring into our communities.”

According to her, there is a plan to extend the assistance to indigent students across the entire state. She revealed that the Obuzor family had already started supporting at least 20 students in higher institutions.

“Starting from this little community of Odiokwu, we plan to extend it to Ahoada West, Ahoada East, the whole of Orashi and as we have more (funds), of course, the whole of Rivers State.”

Dr Obuzor, a trained surgeon and former Commissioner for Health, Education and Commerce and Industry in the old Rivers State while expressing gratitude for the show of love, commended his children for the establishment of the education foundation, which is in line with his legacy of enhancing the human capital development of his people.

During the event, the biography of Dr Ikechukwu Amadi Obuzor titled: OBUZOR THE LIGHT BEARER, authored by Precious Anuonyeh, was launched.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani expressed gratitude to God for the life of the octogenarian and all his accomplishments.

Dignitaries present at the event were Justice Simon C. Amadi, Chief Judge of Rivers State; Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Rivers State; Felix Obuah, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party;

Others include His Majesty king (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja JP, Jeki V, Treaty king, Amayanabo And Natural Ruler Of Opobo Kingdom and Chairman Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Elder Ferdinand Alabraba, among others.