My name is Chidi Anselm Odinkalu. I am a teacher and I chair the Governing Council of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (COOU).
I recognize this is a busy time of year. It is also a difficult season. For those of you who are about to make commitments at the end of this year, I seek your permission to put one thing on your radar.
In Anambra State and the south-east, our people, especially our young people, are our biggest investments. Today, we are losing many of them to avoidable distractions. Attrition & dropout rates from basic education are rising, especially among boys. Many who finish from high school are unable to go further because of hardship or financial or exclusion.
At the COOU, we are committed to a simple idea: no young person from Anambra State who has the grades and the ability and who desires to should be excluded from access to University education because of financial hardship.
To finance this idea, the Governing Council has authorized the establishment of a social solidarity fund for education called TGF – The Genius Fund.
Proceeds from TGF will support awards to finance the education of deserving beneficiaries at the COOU, including those from host communities.
TGF Funds under authority of the Council will be ring-fenced. Council will provide an annual report to on fund management. Those who contribute to the Fund will be our investment partners in this model of education financing.
Awards under the Fund are not open to children or relatives of staff, faculty, management, Council or other persons on organs of the university or staff of the public service.
We propose to designate the first TGF awards on the silver jubilee of the university next year and seek the participation and investment of alumni, civics, communities, professionals, business people and Ndi Anambra niiné. I have already made my commitment and so have all the external members of my Governing Council.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Council, I seek to enlist your partnership in this model. You can make your contribution directly to:
COOU TGF Account, Zenith Bank, AC No. 1313240404
You can also #AdoptAGenius. Pledges are also welcome. I am happy to answer any questions and so will the University management.
Many thanks.
Chidi Anselm Odinkalu
