A United States‑trained medical doctor, Dr. (Mrs.) Thelma Ezeonu, has urged pupils to look beyond classroom lessons for true success.
Ezeonu, a co‑founder of the Hamilton and Thelma Ezeonu Foundation, and wife of Anambra‑born business mogul and philanthropist, Chief Hamilton Ezeonu (Ikemba Nnobi), made the remark at Udoka Primary School, Agulu, while handing out free school bags to pupils in public schools in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State, in continuation of her One Child One School Bag Initiative in the state.
She explained that while teachers provide knowledge, guidance, and support, there are yet other things the children will achieve through personal effort to reach their full potential.
“Your teachers can only give you but so much,” she said,
In November, 2025 when the exercise started, the Foundation distributed over 15,000 bags to 45 public primary schools across 7 communities in Idemili South LGA, as part of its efforts to assist government in promoting quality education.
On Thursday, when the foundation, known for its charitable donations, went to Anaocha local government area of the state in continuation of the initiative, it visited about 20 public schools in Agulu and Neni communities, where it distributed over 5,000 bags to pupils in public schools.
While distributing the school bags, Dr. Mrs Ezeonu said that the intention of the initiative is to support the Anambra State government in promoting standards, quality and excellence among pupils in public schools in the state.
Ezeonu told the pupils that the bags were not for fancy but to keep their books and writing materials safe; then, make sure they read them constantly in order to pass their examinations.
She said, “Make sure you read your books. Our aim of supporting you is to make sure that you take your studies very serious, so that the aim of sending you to school will not be defeated.”
Dr. Ezeonu, who said that the exercise is not politically motivated, but a humanitarian service, assured her young audience that if they showed improvements in their acadenics, the Foundation would visit them again with greater gifts.
“We cannot read your books for you. We can only support you to do well in your academic journey. If we returned and your performances did not impress us, we shall not continue. Let nobody tell you that education is a scam. You should see education as the foundation of whatever you want to do in life.
“We’ve done our part; just as your parents have done their own parts. What we require from you is to study hard and pass your exams. No matter what you want to do in life, education is the first thing,” she said.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have rated the Foundation high for acknowledging economic disparity among the school children by giving them quality school bags.
During the distribution of the bags to pupils at the 15 public schools in Agulu, Anaocha LGA, the Councillor representing Agulu Ward IV in the Anaocha LGA Legislative Council, Hon. Ezealaedu Anthony Nnamdi, praised the Hamilton and Thelma Ezeonu Foundation, saying that people like High Chief Hamilton and Dr. Thelma Ezeonu should be encouraged as they come up to assist government in promoting education and learning at the grassroots.
“This Foundation has made significant impact in the educational landscape of Anambra State by distributing free school bags to pupils in public schools,” he said.
Hon. Nnamdi emphasized the importance of this initiative, and said that the provision of school bags to the pupils can promote a sense of pride and belonging among pupils, and also make learning experience more interesting.
At the Special Primary School, one of the schools visited by the Foundation at Neni community, a teacher, Mr. Ilozue Valentine, and the school secretary, Ezeudu Rita Chimezie, praised the effort of the Hamilton and Thelma Ezeonu Foundation, saying that it aligns with broader educational goals of the Anambra State government.
The two called on other organizations and individuals to consider how they can contribute to similar programmes that benefit school children and improve education in Anambra.
Other teachers and pupils who spoke during the Foundation’s visit to different schools in the areas described the gesture as unprecedented and impactful; saying that what the Foundation has done will encourage pupils to work harder.
Pupils who spoke said that the foundation has set an example that needs to be emulated and replicated across the state, and assured that they would not to take the gesture for granted.
Other teachers and head-teachers, who also spoke in various schools visited showered encomiums on the foundation for the kind gesture, and promised that as teachers, they would contribute their own quota to ensure that the children get quality education.