100 Benue Students get KEEF N5 Million Scholarships

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi 

Founder, Kave Economic Empowerment Foundation (KEEF), Dr Godwin Kave, has awarded scholarships to 100 indigent students drawn from across the 23 Local Government Areas of Benue State.

The scholarship programme, held at Gboko Polytechnic, Gboko LGA, was part of a week-long activities to mark his 50th birthday celebration.

Kave, a United Nations Peace Ambassador, provided financial support of N50,000 to each of the 100 students of tertiary institutions amounting to N5 million.

He said the gesture was part of efforts to  empower youths and promote their access to education.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the Ter Gboko, HRH Gabriel Ishosum, who was represented by the District Head of Gboko South, HRH Akpam Abeke, commended Kave for choosing to celebrate his milestone birthday through impactful humanitarian services rather than a lavished festivities abroad. 

He noted that the scholarship initiative offers hope to students and reflects Kave’s generosity. 

The traditional ruler advised beneficiaries to utilise the funds prudently to enhance their academic pursuit and encouraged them to emulate their big brother, Kave and also remember to give back to society in the future. He further prayed God Almighty to bless him beyond measures.

The KEEF Founder, Dr. Godwin Kave, expressed appreciation to the Ter Gboko for honouring the occasion despite his tight schedule, explaining that he was motivated by his humble background and personal experiences with financial hardship while pursuing his education.

He said “My motivation for this initiative is that I was once in your shoes and I have come from a humble background, so I know how difficult it is to acquire education from a poor background.”

Kave disclosed that although he had been offering humanitarian assistance quietly in the past, his 50th birthday provided an opportunity to institutionalize the interventions through KEEF. 

He highlighted the week-long activities began with a medical outreach in Buruku, followed by a youth skill acquisition programme in Makurdi and the scholarship awards at Gboko Polytechnic saying “It’s not for show-off, and I’m not a rich man. But I find myself in people’s shoes and I want to touch their lives.”

While noting that he want to use the occasion of his Golden Jubilee to impact lives rather than host a conventional party, Kave also disclosed plans to launch a biography initially proposed three years ago by the late national President of the Tiv Youth Organization, Mr. Andy Anza, whose vision is now being continued by his former classmate, Mr. Mike Ortserga. The book launch is scheduled to hold on Friday at the College of Health Sciences, Rev Fr Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (MOAUM), formerly Benue State University Makurdi.

In a goodwill messages, Prof. Benjamin Odey Omang of the Department of Geology, University of Calabar, commended Kave for his generosity, stating that society would be better if more individuals embraced such acts of giving. “It’s not rich people that give, it’s good people that give. So, Kave is a good man,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Henroy Enterprise, Calabar, Dr. Henry Effiom, urged continued prayers for Kave to sustain and expand his philanthropic efforts, while encouraging beneficiaries to use the funds wisely to achieve academic excellence.

Similarly, Dr Amon Terpase Emmanuel, Head of Station, National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Yandev outstation, appreciated the initiative and urged beneficiaries to make meaningful use of the opportunity adding “Make that token you are benefitting today speak. Let the little beginning multiply in thousand folds and let his prayers be answered.”

Earlier, the Coordinator of the KEEF Scholarship and Colloquium, Dr. Elijah Ikpanor, who is also Director of Culture for Advancement and Linkages at Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, explained that the selection process for the scholarship scheme was transparent and merit-based. He noted that the scholarship was publicly advertised across media platforms, with applications submitted online to eliminate bias and ensure fairness.

He stated that eligibility criteria required applicants to be indigent Benue indigenes with demonstrable need, adding that the beneficiaries are pioneers of the scheme and are expected to serve as its ambassadors. 

According to him, Kave did not interfere with the selection process. “I did not have any interference from our founder or any committee member. They gave me the opportunity to assess you independently,” he said.

Ikpanor further disclosed that shortlisted candidates who were unable to attend the ceremony would receive their funds through bank transfers.

Some of the beneficiaries, including Nenger Mbanengen, a 300-level English student at the University of Mkar, and Iorkyaa Grace, a 400-level Medical Laboratory Science student at MOAUM, expressed gratitude to Kave for the support. 

Iorkyaa noted that her previous scholarship attempts with other sponsors had not been successful, describing some as non existent, questionable, and commended Dr Kave for the genuine intervention.

Other students, Awua Bemdoo of the Department of Data Science and Technology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and Benjamin Saaondo of the Medicine department, MOAUM, also appreciated the gesture and pledged to utilise the funds judiciously.

In his closing remarks, the Media Adviser to the Ter Gboko, Dr Fidelis Ihundu, described Kave as a courageous, intelligent and compassionate man, praying for continued blessings upon him.