Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has rewarded a 15-year-old boy Chibuike Ibekwe with scholarship for returning new shoes given to him by mistake.
Ibekwe, a native of Mbano in Imo State, dropped out of school and resorted to scavenging at the Ariaria International Market, Aba, to assist his mother Chika Ibekwe a trader.
The teenager was given a bag to dispose by Goodness Uzoukwu, a trader in Ariaria containing new shoes, thinking it was trash.
Ibekwe later realised the shoes were new and returned it to Mrs Uzoukwu, refusing to listen to those who wanted to buy them from him.
The excited woman made a video of him for returning the shoes and uploaded it on Facebook.
The video went viral and caught the attention of Ikpeazu.
While receiving the boy, his mother, and the chairman of Ariaria International Market Emeka Igara at his residence in Umuobiakwa in Obingwa LGA, Ikpeazu said, “Your name is Chibuike, and mine is Chibuike, too. I am happy you’ve proved to be very honest.”
He added: “Your today can’t decide your tomorrow because you are honest. You will go back to school. I will ensure you finish your secondary education because you are honest. If you remain honest, you will remain my friend and I will make sure you see me every month. What you have done by returning the goods to the owner is a mark of honour and proof of your honesty.”
