Joy enveloped the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State on Wednesday as the Imo Community of Tampa Bay International, United States of America (USA) offered N3 million scholarships to 30 students and a donation of a social event stage valued at N15 million to the school.

The intervention, which underscores the growing relationship between the Imo diaspora community in Tampa Bay and the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, was unveiled at separate events within the Institution.

While the scholarship awards took place at the Council Chamber, the newly donated stage was officially handed over and commissioned in front of the Rector’s Building, providing the Polytechnic with a dedicated facility for students’ social and institutional events.

Each of the scholarship award recipients received N100,000, which the community said was intended to provide practical financial relief to the students at a time when the cost of education and general living continues to place considerable pressure on families.

Speaking at the event, President, Imo Community of Tampa Bay, Emeka Eziakonwa, disclosed that the initiative was the community’s third scholarship intervention at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede.

Accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Agriculture, Chris Enweremadu, he expressed the community’s desire to increase the scholarship intervention to accommodate more students in the future.

He noted that the community had continued to simplify the application process in order to make it easier for deserving students to benefit, while appreciating the institution for granting the delegation audience and creating the platform for them to contribute to students’ development.

Eziakonwa said the event stage was more than a physical structure, stressing that, “it represents a deliberate investment in creating a safer, more organised and more functional campus environment for student activities”.

He called on the students to ensure its good use for their educational advancement.

Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, Academic, Dr. Obinna Iwueke, expressed profound appreciation to the Imo Community for their sustained commitment to the welfare and development of students of the institution.

He commended the community for the judicious use of the scholarship funds and described the intervention as “a practical demonstration of what meaningful community–institution partnership can achieve”.

He noted that the scholarships would provide significant relief to beneficiaries and their families, amid prevailing economic realities in the country.

The Rector emphasised that educational support of such magnitude goes beyond financial assistance, but helps students remain focused on their studies and strengthens their confidence that society values their educational aspirations.

He described the event stage as a strategic contribution to student welfare, stressing that a conducive academic environment must also provide appropriate spaces for healthy social interaction, creativity, recreation and community building.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them by the benefactors through academic commitment, responsible conduct and positive contributions to the Polytechnic community.

He also extended an invitation to Enweremadu to visit the Polytechnic, stressing that the Institution remains open to mutually beneficial partnerships capable of advancing education and student development.

Dean of Students Affairs of the school, Dr. Saint Paul Christopher, recalled the discussions that followed an earlier scholarship presentation, stressing that it was there that the idea of a suitable venue and stage for students to organise social and developmental activities within the Polytechnic was hatched.

“The request was subsequently made for the provision of a permanent stage that would support students’ events on campus and reduce their exposure to avoidable risks associated with organising celebrations and social programmes outside the Institution”, he said, and thanked the community for their swift response.

In appreciation of his service to the students’ welfare and development, the community made a cash award to the Dean of Student Affairs, saying it marks the beginning of an additional tradition through which the Imo Community of Tampa Bay intends to recognise a faculty member annually for exceptional service to students, alongside its scholarship programme.

At the event were also the School Registrar, Mr. Stanley Ugochukwu Njoku; the Bursar, Mrs. Chinyere Adanne Ojiuko; the Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. Charles Obichere; Deans of Schools; Directors; staff members; and the beneficiary students.