AS a way of giving back to the society, Sir. Celestine Omehia has set up two major foundations as a way of intervening in the educational pursuit of indigent pupils in Ubima, his home town and the neigbouring communities of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. These two not-for-profit and non-political organization, Cyprian Omehia Education Foundation and Sanctus Trinitate Foundation (STF) have played significant roles in intervening in the educational pursuit of some persons with a view to ensuring the accomplishment of such ambition at the Primary, Secondary and University levels.
This was set up in appreciation of the Almighty God for giving him an opportunity to serve Rivers State as Governor in 2007. To achieve this aim of giving back to society in appreciation for the benevolence of God in his life, the former governor spearheaded the setting up of the not-for-profit organization, Cyprian Omehia Education Foundation which was eventually registered in 2008. It will be recalled that upon election and swearing-in as Governor of Rivers State on May 29th 2007, he became the first person from the entire Ikwerre ethnic nationality of Rivers State, comprising of Ikwerre, Obio-Akpor, Emohua and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas, to attain the position of Governor.
It is against this background that St. Cyprian Unity Primary School, a co-educational primary school located on Cyprian Omehia Street, Omuordu, Ubima town in Ikwerre Local Government area of Rivers State was established in 2008 to provide Primary education to indigent pupils from Ubima and the neigbouring communities.
Since founding the school in 2008, the foundation has continued to solely fund the operations of the school by providing pupils with books, uniforms and school shoes without any fee. With a landmass spanning over 5000 Square meters, the school consists of two (2) six-classroom block buildings, a Staff Room, a Headmaster's Office and modern conveniences for pupils and teachers. Also available is a sizable field for sports and recreation to enhance the physical and mental fitness development of the pupils.
With about twelve Academic and Non-Academic Staff, a Pupil population averaging between seventy and a hundred at various times and about sixty-three school leavers since inception in 2008 till date (2018), the school has continued to make progress in academics and other areas of development.
Sanctus Trinitate Foundation is a not-for-profit and non-political organisation formally registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on the 10th day of August, 2018. The foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees which includes Rev. Fr. Polycarp Henetu, Sir Celestine Omehia and others.
The foundation has the following aims and objectives:
The Foundation sponsored the registration of 150 students across the 13 wards of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The scholarship was targeted at the less privileged children who are unable to register for their final exams on completion of their high school education and those who were displaced due to cult activities in their communities.
Sanctus Trinitate Foundation whose aim amongst other things is to provide educational assistance to indigent and rural youths to enhance the successful completion of their studies initiated the STF Tertiary Institutions Scholarship for Indigent Students. The first set of beneficiaries were drawn from the various communities that make up Ubima town in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
This scholarship covers tuition fees for the entire academic year for at least four academic sessions comprising of two semesters per session. It is designed for indigent students who are facing financial difficulties and who are TRULY GIFTED AND TRULY IN NEED. It provides the sum of N200,000.00 per academic year and the beneficiaries are expected to maintain their eligibility throughout the course of the studies. Every year, the foundation sponsors 5 or 6 persons after thorough selection via examinations and interviews.
This scholarship was designed to facilitate the easy enrolment and successful completion of Law School for Indigent Law Graduates. The beneficiaries are given the sum of N200,000.00 only and a set of Laptop Computer. This scholarship is targeted at those who are unable to raise funds to pay for their Law School fees and accommodation.