A Non- Governmental Organization (NGO), known as “Regina Pacis Foundation” based in Abakaliki Ebonyi State, have trained a total of 52 Graduates in its Vocational Institute in various specialized skills and financial education, that are currently employed in multi-national companies across the country.
In a similar vein, the Foundation since its inception in 2005, has granted scholarships to indigents students, given soft loans to widows, empowerment of less privileged and skill acquisition programmes.
The Founder of “Regina Pacis Foundation ” Arc Edward Nkwegu, made the disclosure at the weekend on the occasion marking the 17th Anniversary and Thanksgiving held at Okpoduma Nwofe in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State .
Arc Nkwegu restated that the setting up of the Foundation was based on his motivation for the plight of the poor and empathy for the less privileged in the society .
“One of our aim in this non-profit company is to render unexpected useful service to the society without expecting compensation whatsoever from the beneficiaries, this is a way of showing gratitude to God for his mercies ”
“I do think that everything is wrong with a matured, healthy person who can not feed him/herself in the midst of material abundance of God’s given time, talent and treasure ,financial education is one of the best ways of teaching people what consumes and wastes their time ,talent and treasures of the earth ”
The beneficiaries who graduated from the Foundation Vocational Institute were trained in Financial Education, Entrepreneurial and skill acquisition programmes that would make them independent and wealth creation.
Dr Nkwegu who is equally the Chairman of Federal Government Special PublicWorks Programme in Ebonyi State , said that he embarked on the venture to give hope to hopeless and to uplift the downtrodden.
“We were motivated by geniune compassion and empathy for the poor and less previleged among us, it is a horrifying experience not having anything to live on, it can undermine someone’s confidence and self -worth, poverty is in all its three estates, meaning spiritual, mental and material condition can sabotage one’s life”. Nkwegu said.
He enjoined wealthy individuals in the society to imbibe the attitude of giving alms and assistance to indigent members of the society
“The well to do must have empathy for the poor, they are many people who do not understand the difference between an Asset and a Liability, the educational system do not render services you are expected of them to give Specialized Education, without skill acquisition you cannot help your self”
“I feel that one of the greatest challenges of the people is for people to have no hope, that is why we set up the NGO to help the poor, to render unexpected useful service to members of the society ”
“The less privileged members of the society must acquire specialized skills , without skills you can not render useful service to your self and to others, we set up Regina Pacis Foundation to equip the young stars in specialized skills .
Earlier in an interview with newsmen, an illustrious son of Izzi community who doubles as an aide to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo , Mr Ekene Nwokoro, commended the Founder of Regina Pacis Foundation for the initiative of supporting and assisting the poor.
“This event is an annual event , where friends of Arc Nkwegu come together to celebrate with him along side members of Regina Pacis , I am glad to be part of this event”
Mr Nwokoro informed newsmen that his Foundation named “Ekesson Foundation” has empowered several persons in terms of securing jobs to the less privileged in Ministries ,Departments and Agencies (MDAs)
“Those who cannot afford to pay school fees, those who cannot graduate because of inability to pay tuition fees,between 2009 and 2021, “Ekesson Foundation” has secured employment rover 1,000 persons in MDAs.
In a remark, the Chairman, Board of Trustee of Regina Pacis Foundation Reverend Father Johnpaul Nwankwo said the foundation had done great things in the development of mankind.
The Board of Trustee Chairman said that the event featured the conferment of Awards to deserving persons for their philanthropy and assistance to the needy.
“Among the award recipients were Reverend Father Peter Amano and Reverend Father Abraham Nwali who were given Award of Excellence in Humanitarian service, ”
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included an Elder Statesman Chief Innocent Ugo Chima and a Community Leader Chief Mathias Adum, members of the Catholic community, Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Thought, the elderly, various Groups , the Clergy among others.
