Chapel of Redemption, a non-denominational chaplaincy at Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu in Port Harcourt, has awarded scholarship to 40 indigent undergraduate students in the university.
Chaplain of the church, Rev. Maxwell Ehirim said the gesture was part of the Church’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to her immediate environment.
Rev.Ebirim, said the church came to realization that many parents are finding it difficult in paying their children and wards school fees, because of the prevailing harsh economic realities in the country today, hence the scholarship award programme of the church was instituted.
“We need to assist some members of the church who are studying in the university. As a church, we don’t only indulge in prayers; we also take care of our member’s welfare to make life easier for them. My joy is that the students are doing well in their studies”.
According to him, the church is targeting 100 students in the nearest future, as he lamented the dearth of funds.
“This is the 3rd edition of the scholarship scheme of the church and it has been run back to back non-stop. We therefore call on corporates bodies and philanthropies to take some students on scholarship to finish their studies.
“We don’t joke with the welfare of our members, especially the students. Every Friday after mid-week service, we feed them before they leave the church premises. However, the university authority under the leadership of Prof. NlerumOkogbule, has been very helpful and supportive to us. The V.C, is like a father to us,” Ehirim stressed.
Preaching at the Sunday service, the Guest Preacher, Rev. Tunde Godwin, emphasised the need for the students to take their studies seriously and avoid social vices and always endeavor to obey the rules and regulations of the university, because basically that was what brought them to the university.
He commended the church leadership for spotting out 40 indigent students who are members of the church and decided to award scholarships to them in pursuit of their educational aspirations was very commendable and inspiring.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor, Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, ably presented by the deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Valentine Omubo-Pepple, expressed gratitude to the leadership of the church for putting smiles on the faces of the indigent students of the university by reason of the scholarship given to them.
He however warned the students to make proper judicious use of the money for which it was given by paying and supporting their academic work in the university.
Prof. Omubo-Pepple promised on behalf of the university that next year, the management of the university, would key-in and support the scholarship programme of the church because its very laudable.

Omubo-Pepple, noted that the school management has of recent, been very much worried about the plights of some indigent students in the university; probably because of the prevailing harsh economic in the country and once more praised the church authorities for such laudable programme and expressed profound appreciation to the chaplain, Rev. Engr. Maxwell Ebirim, for his fore-sight and his desire to always help the poor in the society.
While appreciating the church authorities for the gesture done to their children and wards, one of the parents, Elder, Joseph Ojiwiri, from Omoku community, urged the students to always embrace God in their lives and be appreciative to God and to the church authorities.
He noted that it has not been easy for parents in training their children in higher institutions because of prevailing harsh economy in the country.