HOW I WAS DISCOVERED AND OFFERED SCHOLARSHIP IN SECONDARY SCHOOL—ALLWELL ONYESOH REVEALS
The story of Rivers state top politician Chief Allwell Onyesoh has many facets of uplifting the spirit of any talented intelligent youth who ought to dream great dream and aspire to any level of human development. This Etche born Chief Allwell Onyesoh while celebrating his birthday on December 26th,2021 offered scholarship awards to over eighteen Etche Youth in various universities across Nigeria.
He told the story of his life how he lost his father at a very tender age and how his late mother raised him and his siblings within a well-disciplined family upbringing. Publisher/Editor-In-Chief—Emeka Amaefula–+234(0)8111813069 anchored his untold childhood story which he narrated on reasons why he opted to offer scholarships to Youths in his community. READ ON
Why are you giving out scholarship toady?
“I had this lack of fifteen shillings which was a lot of money at that time and equivalent to fifteen naira today meant for College examination fees which others paid and I didn’t pay for the filling of the exam form. This is this is because I didn’t have. So, people went and wrote and I did not write. I had this impression of trying to grow up quickly and to help my mum. Because she was a very young person and most times she appeared to be overwhelmed and I saw her crying. So, I try not to make increase the problems for her. Even when I don’t feel fine, I will pretend as if I was okay. So, when she said look you can’t write. I said okay no problem and she said next time.
In my Primary school, I was the best in the school. So, a man came when people had gone for the exam. In those days you can have a Primary school of Class six of about 30-and only two will go to secondary school. So, one man from my place called George Nwala asked where are the people who passed went to secondary school in those days, we used to call it College?
“They mentioned one or two persons and he said what of that small boy? I came and he asked why I explained to him that my mum asked me not write that she hasn’t the money. Later the man drove to our house to look for me. He met one of my friends and called me. He said why didn’t you go to College…he said why didn’t you write? And I said my mum was broke and that there was no money. He was very angry and he said why didn’t your mum meet us, because he came from my father’s senior brother’s place. He said you should have gone. And I said well, I didn’t and he was very angry and he left. And I continued my game. Because I registered it on my mind that till next year. I still do that till today, if I can’t afford anything it will never get over to me. So, he left two weeks later he came back and then he told me saying now If you go to write late entrance will you pass? I told him, well I don’t know as others will also write. You can’t fail an exam you. Then, the man said prepare come I will take you there this weekend. So, I prepared. Then the last weekend of September of 1973 he came and took me to County Grammar School Ikwerre-Etche. It was a Saturday, we wrote the exam. And the first working day of October 1973 he came back to me and he paid everything and he took me back to that school and it was announced that I was admitted as I had three Hundred over three Hundred. I got scholarship immediately on that day. And since that day till now I have been moving. That’s the man.
“Now I am here, what if that day I didn’t have money, would I have been the same person that I am today? Could have even being alive? Did you know what could have happened in three Hundred and sixty-five days? Now I have the Freedom to go left right and center? You never can say but that movement changed a whole lot for me. And now that I am here why can’t I help people. It was even more difficult helping people then than now. So, I agree with that. One thing about me is that If you come and I don’t have it I will tell you that I don’t have it.”
How did you organize this your birthday quite different from the usual ones you have celebrated before?
I woke up in the morning and I started seeing movement of DJ and Canopy inside my House. I learnt it was Etche Political elites that organized this my birthday. I just did the one I did inside the house here.