For many students at St. Columba’s Grammar School, Agbor, the future often feels distant and uncertain. However, for a few hours, that future felt closer, clearer, and more achievable as the Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation turned belief into action.
At a special programme held at the school under the theme “Your Future, Your Choice”, the Foundation presented a cheque of ₦2.7 million to cover WAEC, NECO, and JSS 3 examination fees for eligible students.
In a system where exam fees can quietly end academic journeys, the intervention removed a barrier that too often goes unnoticed.
Yet, the day was about more than financial support.
Established in honour of the late medical doctor and former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, the Foundation’s work reflects the values he lived by: discipline, service, and a firm belief in education as a tool for national development.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Foundation, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, explained why the initiative began at St. Columba’s Grammar School.
“This is a way of giving back to the institution that helped shape Dr. Cairo’s values and discipline,” she said. “We want these students to understand that their background does not limit their future if they stay focused and committed.”
In addition to covering examination fees, the Foundation rewarded academic excellence with cash prizes for the best-performing students across the school’s nine academic arms.
Notebooks and writing materials were also distributed, reinforcing the message that learning deserves consistent support, not occasional applause.
Importantly, the programme placed strong emphasis on personal responsibility. Students were encouraged to see challenges not as excuses, but as opportunities to grow stronger and more intentional about their choices.
“Every decision you make today contributes to the future you will live with tomorrow,” Mrs. Ojougboh told the students. “Discipline, consistency, and focus are not optional if you want to succeed.”
Her two sons, Nkem and Orieka Ojougboh, actively participated in the programme, adding a personal layer to the message of legacy and continuity.
Meanwhile, the presence of the Old Boys of St. Columba’s Grammar School, led by Elder Ndudi Agholor, added depth to the occasion. Many shared reflections on their time in the school, expressing pride in its enduring standards and appreciation for initiatives that reconnect past, present, and future generations.
In their separate remarks, the school principal, Rev. Fr. Joseph Ugboh, and the Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, praised the Foundation for translating remembrance into impact.
“This is a commendable and meaningful way to preserve Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s legacy,” Engr. Ehiwarior said, urging the family to sustain the initiative.
By the end of the programme, what lingered was not just gratitude, but resolve. Students left feeling seen, supported, and reminded that the future is not only something to hope for, but something to actively shape.
In a country where educational access remains uneven, the Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’s intervention offered a simple but powerful lesson that when support meets intention, possibilities multiply.
