It was a rare gesture as an Anambra-born philanthropist, Chief Chigozie Atueyi, stormed some schools in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, to distribute school fees to school children to mark his birthday for the year 2023.
It would be recalled that Chief Atueyi, who is the Southeast Director of the Adorable Foundation International (AFI) —a charity-based nongovernmental organisation — marked his birthday early this month, during which he also pledged that there would be a shift away from the conventional extravagant celebrations, to celebrate by supporting the education of school children in the State through his esteemed humanitarian organization.
In keeping of the promise few days after, Chief Atueyi, accompanied by his team, embarked on a heartening journey to various schools in Nnewi South Local Government Area to clear off school fees of the pupils, especially those who are not benefiting from the free education recently declared by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
During the visits, the philanthropist personally distributed school fees to school children, bringing hope and smiles to their faces.
The school children and the school authorities, in return, also expressed immense gratitude for Atueyi’s generous gesture, which, according to them, will ease the educational burden on many families.
The philanthropist and his team also visited some secondary schools in the State, where they had an outreach with the students on the dangers of drug abuse.,
When contacted by this reporter, who heard about the gesture, Chief Atueyi said his decision to utilize his birthday as an opportunity to distribute school fees to school children was borne out of his desire to do something different, as well as his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those less fortunate, all with the vision of making the world a better place.
While revealing that his eyes have opened to see many things going on in the society since the Founder of the Foundation, Princess Ada Amah, chose him to be the Southeast Director of the organization; Chief Atueyi further harped on the need to always remember the less privileged in the society.
He also advised the school children to be more serious and focused in their studies, to make their parents, state and the nation pride.
This reporter gathered that the Utuh-born philanthropist has an extensive history of empowering youths and women in the southeastern region, with over a million beneficiaries whose lives have been positively transformed.
Atueyi’s birthday celebration, characterized by this selfless act, has continued to garner encomiums and felicitations from well-meaning individuals who applaud his dedication and his noble and impactful initiative; describing it as an inspiring example of how individuals can create a positive and lasting impact in their communities.
They also hailed his endeavour to ensure that underprivileged children have access to education, while urging him not to relent in his good works.