Okowa Empowers 50 Indigent UNIDEL Students

Former First Lady of Delta State and Founder of the O5 Foundation, Dame Edith Okowa, has empowered 50 indigent students of the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, with N200,000 each to support their education and welfare.

The intervention, which was in commemoration of the 2026 United Nations World Charity Day, was unveiled on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at a special ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor's Conference Room.

Speaking at the event, Dame Okowa said the O5 Foundation, which she founded, embarked on a Special Student Assistance Programme as a practical response to the financial difficulties confronting less-privileged students, particularly those struggling to meet their basic educational and living expenses.

She urged the beneficiaries to see the intervention not merely as financial assistance but as a challenge to work harder and maintain exemplary conduct throughout their university education.

"Those that are being empowered today should know that they are now my children. Until you graduate, we will keep assisting you. We will follow you up and make sure you continuously be good students in appearance and in character," she said.

Dame Okowa also encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities provided by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), stressing the need for other philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to extend helping hands to vulnerable members of society.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIDEL, Prof. Eric Eboh, welcomed Dame Okowa and her entourage on behalf of the University's Management, staff and students. Prof. Eboh commended the O5 Foundation for its intervention, describing the initiative as a demonstration of the power of philanthropy to transform lives and give hope to students who might otherwise struggle to remain focused on their studies.

The Vice-Chancellor also used the occasion to brief the visitors on the university's Project RAISE UNIDEL Higher strategy, which he said was designed to accelerate the institution's development and sustain it as the fastest-growing state university in sub-Saharan Africa.

The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of cheques to some of the beneficiaries by Dame Okowa and other dignitaries.

One of the beneficiaries, Nelson Igbunu, who spoke on behalf of the students, expressed gratitude to Dame Okowa and the O5 Foundation for remembering students facing financial challenges. He pledged that the students would reciprocate the gesture by taking their academic work seriously and making responsible use of the assistance.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Ijeh; Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Esther Akpojuvie; deans, directors, members of the O5 Foundation, and the benefiting students.