"I once Sold Ice-Water For 10-kobo On Streets of Umuahia", Obowo Born American Based Lawyer Recounts

By Ike Njoku

An American based lawyer and indigene of Avutu in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria, Chief Barr Paschal Nwokocha has disclosed that his growing up was not too rossy as many thought.

The humanitarianist made the disclosure while addressing beneficiaries of the Peter and Theresa Nwokocha Scholarship Foundation held at Aguneke Hall Avutu Obowo on January 1,2025.

He said that his parents were teachers and then teachers were owed salary by government, that in order to survive,he was meant to hawk ice water (satchet water now) in the streets of Umuahia as a young boy, pointing out that today,those things are now past stories.

Presenting a cheque of two hundred thousand naira (#200,000) each to 49 students in institutions of higher learning from Avutu Obowo, Barr Nwokocha said that they are not giving because they have excess rather to make a difference in Avutu.

He urged the benefictiaries to be resilient, remain focused and take their studies serious.

He further noted that in the midst of challenges one can become what he or she wants to be, stressing that they believe in them and would want them to believe in themselves."what ever is your field excell in it"he said.

He warned the undergraduates against indulging in bad social vices that is capable of ruining their lives as a result of the present economic hardship that has bedevilled the country, stressing that challenges will come but with determination and resilience they will overcome.

The Minnesota American based lawyer revealed that the scholarship programme wouldn't have been possible if not for support from his siblings and inlaws.

Also speaking,Sir Kelechi Anuokam thanked the foundation for what they have been doing in the past 11 years, saying that giving no matter how little is not easy.He commended them and prayed God to continue to replenish their pockets.

He said that the scholarship recipients are privileged, pointing out that some people dropped out of school because of finance.

He warned them against cultism, prostitution (Hook-up) and to do away with anything that will make them not to complete their studies.

"Some people say Education is scam, but am telling you education is not scam, get the certificate and other things will follow"Kelechi said.

 Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ihuoma Gladys Kelechi thanked Nwokocha Foundation for their milk of human kindness, adding that it is a great assistance to them.She said that they are looking up to a day they will be in position to help others.

Infonews Correspondent at the event gathered that the Peter and Theresa Nwokocha Foundation is the brain child of the children of late Peter and Theresa Nwokocha, established with a view to upholding their late parent's vision.