By Everest Ezihe, Ideato North
The Franklin Ngoforo Foundation has launched the Tony Ezenna Scholarship Scheme (TESS) in honour of renowned businessman and philanthropist, Chief Tony Ezenna, founder of Orange Drugs, with a target of sponsoring 1,000 indigent students from Ideato, Imo State, over the next 10 years.
The scholarship scheme was unveiled last Sunday at Akakwo in Ideato North local government area of Imo State,, with the founder of the foundation, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, announcing that the first phase would fully sponsor 20 beneficiaries from Junior Secondary School (JSS1) through university education.
Ngoforo said the initiative was designed to transform Chief Ezenna’s legacy of philanthropy and community development into a sustained investment in the younger generation.
“There are many ways to honour a great man. You can give him an award. You can put his name on a building. But there is an honour greater than all of these. It is to take the values that made him great and reproduce them in another generation,” he said.
He described Chief Ezenna as a source of identity and pride for the people of Ideato, ancient Kingdom citing his contributions to road construction, sports development, education, church projects and other community interventions.
Ngoforo particularly referenced Chief Ezenna’s intervention in the construction and development of roads, including the Orlu-Umuchima-Akokwa Road, as well as his various investments in human and community development.
According to him, such contributions have brought recognition and respect to Ideato community, stressing that the best way to honour the philanthropist was to continue the culture of giving and empowering others.
“Ideato has not honoured Chief Tony Ezenna enough. If he lifted people, then let us lift people. If he opened doors, let us open doors,” he declared.
The foundation founder explained that TESS was not merely designed to pay school fees, but to develop beneficiaries into productive members of society who would, in turn, contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
He said the ultimate objective was to “plant human beings” who would become doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs and leaders.
Ngoforo further disclosed that the foundation’s broader development programme would extend beyond formal education to include skills acquisition, vocational training and business support, particularly for young people who may not follow conventional academic pathways.
He revealed that a committee had already been constituted to select the pioneer beneficiaries, with consideration to be given to financial need, intellectual ability, potential and equitable representation across Ideato.
While addressing the beneficiaries, Ngoforo urged them to regard the scholarship as a responsibility rather than merely a gift.
“Poverty must not decide who becomes great. Somebody has invested in your future because they believe your future can become an investment in the future of others,” he told the beneficiaries.
He expressed optimism that the scholarship beneficiaries would justify the confidence reposed in them and eventually become contributors to the advancement of other young people and society at large.
Ngoforo Foundation Launches Tony Ezenna Scholarship Scheme, Targets 1,000 Indigent Students
