The Nation Newspaper

Tag: scholarship

  • Kano, French Embassy float PG scholarship scheme

    Kano State government and the Embassy of France in Nigeria, have initiated a joint scholarship scheme to sponsor postgraduate training of 12 indigenes of the state in reputable French universities in the next three years.

    Under the arrangement, Kano government would provide accommodation, upkeep and travel expenses, while the French Embassy would take care of beneficiaries’ registration, tuition and health insurance, according to Deputy Governor Prof Hafiz Abubakar.

    The government, which disclosed this at a ceremony at the Kano Government House, said the government had settled its part of the deal for one year.

    Giving highlights of the programme, Abubakar explained that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ‘’decided that the offer should be dedicated to lecturers of the state tertiary institutions’’, adding that beneficiaries were drawn from Kano University of Technology, Northwest University and the state polytechnic.

    “The aim is to build the capacity of lecturers, and the initiative clearly demonstrates the Ganduje administration’s commitment towards promoting learning and attaining higher education levels for citizens of the state,” Abubakar said.

    Abubakar who is the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, said candidates were meticulously selected and interviewed by a committee of the French Embassy, which  sourced the universities that offered the admissions.

    Abubakar, described the scholarship as first of its kind in Kano and a demonstration of the cordiality between the government and French Embassy, charged beneficiaries to be good ambassadors by exhibiting excellence in character and learning.

    At the event, Abubakar presented 15 partial scholarships offered to indigenes of the state by Near East University, Cyprus, to study Engineering and Nursing at undergraduate, masters and doctorate levels.

    Under the deal, the university would provide tuition and Value Added Tax for each student, while the government would provide living and travelling expenses.

    Mr. Denys Gauer said:  “Nigeria and France have in recent times increased their level of political cooperation, with exchange visits by our presidents.”

    Gauer said while both countries were working to address the security challenges facing Nigeria, his country, through the French Development Agency, was determined to execute more projects for Nigerians.

     

  • Scholarship for 11 pupils

    Scholarship for 11 pupils

    IT is true that Nigeria is ranked among countries with the lowest literacy rates in Africa.

    Resource persons from the several education summits held in Nigeria since the nation’s independence in 1960 have blamed the phenomenon bad governance, poverty and other unfavourable conditions arising from inconsistent educational policies.

    But for Prince Lawrence Eze, the son of the traditional ruler of Mburubu in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, the war to fight illiteracy in the country and Enugu State in particular, should not be left for government alone.

    And to match his resolution with action, the prince, at a colourful ceremony, put smiles on 11 brilliant pupils of the Community Secondary School, Mburubu, Enugu State, with scholarship awards.

    The lucky pupils will enjoy a comprehensive scholarship scheme from JS1 to SSIII. Apart from taking care of all financial obligations, the scholarship captures the general upkeep of the students during the six year period of their study.

    Prince Eze said the scholarship to the eleven brilliant pupils was to serve as lifeline for them to become whatever they wanted to be in future, the poverty level of their parents notwithstanding.

    He believed  that with a secondary school education, the sky would be their limit, since according to him, education remains the greatest gift to any child.

    The philanthropist, who was in company of his wife, Princess Lina Onyekachi Eze, stated that when the award committee selected the students in collaboration with the school principal who provided information on their academic performance, he had no choice than to go ahead with the project, adding that his action became inevitable in view of the poverty level of their parents as well as to give the students hope.

    According to him “When I was in primary school, I had two brilliant school mates who unfortunately could not go further because their parents were poor, one of them ended up as a firewood seller in the village while the other managed a little shop and died last year, partly as a result of hardship. If anyone with resources had come with help at that time, such as scholarship, they could have been more useful to society by now”.

    He continued:”If you invest millions and billions of naira to train your children in the best schools, and forgets to touch on the lives of those around you, the children of your neighbours who are not richly endowed like you, could pose danger to society.”

    While calling on the wealthy to give succour to the downtrodden, Prince Lawrence Eze, promised to continue to embark on such humanitarian projects as his little contribution to give back to society part of his God’s blessings.

    The principal of the school Mr. Robert Okorie, commended Prince Lawrence Eze for his kind gesture, stressing that the scholarship award was historic, as that was the first time any student of the school had received scholarship from anyone since its inception.

    Okorie, explained that the scholarship would reduce the burden of their parents and urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their study and be of good behaviour to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    Mr. Elias Nwannaja, who spoke on behalf of the parents, expressed joy with the scholarship award and prayed God to bless Prince Eze and his wife with good health and more resources, as they continue to spray love to the needy. They said the scholarship was a great relief to them.

    The ceremony which attracted a large crowd from the community, featured cultural dances and drama presentations by the students.

     

     

  • College graduands for US,UK varsities scholarship

    Three universities from the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and Canada, have granted scholarship to some graduating students of Westerfield College (WC) to study various courses.

    The students were invited to Muson Centre venue of the school graduation, and presented their cheques as a way of encouraging them to inspire others.

    Among beneficiaries is Chinazamekpere Aranonu, WC 2016 best graduating student. She is set to leave for the University of Hertfordshire in UK to study Medicine with specialisation in Pediatrics because of her love for children.

    “It is like a dream come true. WC has been a blessing to us all. The teachers are very encouraging. While we learned from our teachers, we also learned from fellow students. But I remain grateful to God. I tried my best to stand out and God rewarded me,” she said.

    Mr Micheal Dosunmu, Managing Director of the college recalled that the academic year had not been easy. “However, with focus, discipline and passion, the college was able to record another milestone, which helped guide the students in their studies overseas,” Dosunmu added

    According to Dr. Edna Stan-Maduka, a lecturer from Hertfordshire University UK, the gesture was to encourage beneficiaries to come to the UK to study.

    Addressing graduands earlier on the theme: ‘Dare to Dream,’ Stan-Maduka, charged them to hold on to their dream for future success. “Nothing should stop you from dreaming. The road is not that smooth but I tell you, keep dreaming,” Stan-Maduka said.

    Further, he warned against parents and schools enrolling their wards in universities below 18 years.

    “Let them get to age 18 first, and by then they are already mature. They may be brilliant as individuals but not mature enough to handle the world in the university.”

    Meanwhile, the principal of the college, Dare Falodun, affirmed that the 6th graduation marks the beginning of a long journey. He said , as a tradition, WC challenges its students to put in their best, be dedicated, hardworking, innovative, committed and willing to make a difference in everything.

    “We teach them the qualities they must put in to achieve best result in school. When you are knowledgeable, you are pulled out of poverty,” Falodun concluded.

  • College graduands for US,UK varsities scholarship

    Three universities from the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and Canada, have granted scholarship to some graduating students of Westerfield College (WC) to study various courses.

    The students were invited to Muson Centre venue of the school graduation, and presented their cheques as a way of encouraging them to inspire others.

    Among beneficiaries is Chinazamekpere Aranonu, WC 2016 best graduating student. She is set to leave for the University of Hertfordshire in UK to study Medicine with specialisation in Pediatrics because of her love for children.

    “It is like a dream come true. WC has been a blessing to us all. The teachers are very encouraging. While we learned from our teachers, we also learned from fellow students. But I remain grateful to God. I tried my best to stand out and God rewarded me,” she said.

    Mr Micheal Dosunmu, Managing Director of the college recalled that the academic year had not been easy. “However, with focus, discipline and passion, the college was able to record another milestone, which helped guide the students in their studies overseas,” Dosunmu added

    According to Dr. Edna Stan-Maduka, a lecturer from Hertfordshire University UK, the gesture was to encourage beneficiaries to come to the UK to study.

    Addressing graduands earlier on the theme: ‘Dare to Dream,’ Stan-Maduka, charged them to hold on to their dream for future success. “Nothing should stop you from dreaming. The road is not that smooth but I tell you, keep dreaming,” Stan-Maduka said.

    Further, he warned against parents and schools enrolling their wards in universities below 18 years.

    “Let them get to age 18 first, and by then they are already mature. They may be brilliant as individuals but not mature enough to handle the world in the university.”

    Meanwhile, the principal of the college, Dare Falodun, affirmed that the 6th graduation marks the beginning of a long journey. He said , as a tradition, WC challenges its students to put in their best, be dedicated, hardworking, innovative, committed and willing to make a difference in everything.

    “We teach them the qualities they must put in to achieve best result in school. When you are knowledgeable, you are pulled out of poverty,” Falodun concluded.

  • Ribena’s ‘Back-to-School Scholarship’ promo opens

    As pupils get set for a new school year, Ribena has launched its ‘Back-to-School Scholarship’ Promo.

    Specially designed to reward kids, who buy Vitamin C enriched drink, the promo, allows consumers to participate, with children as the key beneficiaries.

    The promo, which kicked off on August 25, offers 250  children the opportunity to win N100,000 worth of scholarships.

    To enjoy this offer, new and existing consumers are expected to buy a carton of Ribena 150ml, search the carton for a Smarty Berry Sticker with the winning code. They are required to send the code behind the scratch panel to 65432 for verification, which makes them win the scholarship, if lucky.

    The firm’s Brand Manager, Mr. Essien Ekemini, said the back-to-school period entailed pressure as the financial requirements for most parents were heavy.

    ‘The Ribena Back-to-School Scholarship’ promo was borne out of our desire to support kids to resume school with utmost excitement as we believe the cash scholarship will go a long way in ensuring they are fully ready for the new academic session. The promo also aims at thrilling these young consumers as Ribena continues to enrich the children with its bursting goodness,’’ he said.

  • Foundation offers scholarship

    As part of activities to mark its 10th annual lecture series, the Jire Olanlokun Educational Foundation (JOEF) has offered scholarship to four indigent students from two colleges in Osun and Ekiti States.

    The scholarship, it was learnt, was carried out yearly to honour Dr. Simeon Olanlokun, a former Librarian at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who died on March 31, 2006.

    According to the foundation, this year’s lecture slated for September 8, at the university’s Julius Berger Auditorium, will be chaired by former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Senator Adegbenga Kaka.

    A statement signed by Tobi Obishakin said UNILAG’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello will be chief host, while Prof. Zakari Muhammed of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria will deliver the guest lecture.

    Obishakin said the beneficiaries would be unveiled at the venue, adding that they will be presented with some materials for their studies.

     

  • Mr Chef partners Bridge Academy on scholarship

    Bayswater Industries Ltd, producers of Mr. Chef seasoning cubes and powdered seasoning, has increased the number of scholarships it sponsors at Bridge International Academy (BIA) to provide quality education for the less privileged in the country.

    BIA is the world’s largest education innovation organisation using data-driven and technology-enabled platforms to serve over 700 million families whose median income is less than N30,000 per month in countries around the world.

    For the 2015/2016 academic session, Mr. Chef awarded 54 scholarships to pupils, who demonstrated exemplary academic performance in BIA primary schools in Igbogbo-Ikorodu, Badagry, Igando, Ajangbadi and Ijegun, all in Lagos.

    Nine pupils in each of the six schools received the awards.

    By July 2017, the firm will increase the number of scholarships to 60, when the number of BIA schools will have increased to 20.

    It will also avail about 12,000 parents of pupils in the schools free samples of Bayswater products including the master brand, Mr. Chef and the latest product, Choco Love cocoa beverage drink, which was formulated to promote the sharing of family love.

    Bayswater Industries Ltd Managing Director, Mr Piyush Nair, who made these known in his keynote address at the prize-giving ceremony of BIA, Igbogbo-Ikorodu, said his company supports primary education because it is the most critical foundation for moulding young people who would emerge as leaders in the next two decades.

    He said: “Success in the quest for excellence is not determined by age but by an ability to quickly key into visions of future greatness, especially from foundational levels. The success of BIA has shown that excellence in education is easily achievable through a collective and committed involvement of parents, teachers and learners as well as donors.

    “Mr. Chef has invested significant amount of money in our partnership with BIA as part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in the field of education. Apart from scholarships, we have also donated playground equipment to 20 BIA schools as part of our objective of encouraging physical and mental development of children.”

    He announced that Mr. Chef would present branded lunch boxes and sets of cutlery to pupils of BIA in September at the resumption of the 2016/2017 academic session in order to improve the quality of hygiene in the schools.

    In her response, expansion director of Bridge International Academies, Ms. Olu Babalola, thanked Bayswater Industries Ltd for its support to BIA to continually provide quality, inclusive education for less privileged children.

     

     

    A parent Mrs Toyin Oguntuyo, whose son, Caleb, a Primary 3 pupil won a scholarship, had this to say:

    “I am very happy with Mr Chef for offering scholarship to my son. Given the prevailing economic situation in the country, the scholarship will help me and my family to cushion the effect of the harsh economy. It will also encourage my son to work harder in his academics.”

     

     

    Another parent of a recipient, Mr Charles Urobuchi, said: “This scholarship will encourage our young ones to excel more in their performances at school. God bless Mr Chef.”

     

  • We don’t need Umahi’s scholarship, says Uzoamaka’s sister

    Ukamaka Chukwu, the older sister of Uzoamaka Chukwu, the girl allegedly assaulted by a group, led by the Coordinator of Ohaozara Development Area in Ebonyi State, has said the family will not hand over Uzoamaka to the state government, as directed by Governor David Umahi.

    Ukamaka also said her sister would not take the state’s scholarship offer.

    She said: “Where was he when all these started? As a mother and a sister to Uzoamaka, I will say she does not need the scholarship. She already has a scholarship where she is now. There are so many kids out there who need such opportunity from the governor. He should reach out to them.”

    On whether or not the family got a directive from the government on the matter, Ukamaka said: “It was not directly to me. He came to our family house at Umunaga-Uburu to meet with some of our family members, including my grandmother. He apologised for what happened and told them the government wanted to rehabilitate Uzoamaka by taking care of her, including giving her a scholarship. He directed that she should be brought to the state government within seven days. I object to that. I am very satisfied with where she is and it should remain so. The government should help other people.”

    But one of Uzoamaka’s benefactors, who spoke in confidence with our reporter, said the governor’s directive was borne out of political calculations. The source said: “When the governor came back, he must have been briefed. He visited the girl’s family in company of some of those who assaulted her. Up till today, the ‘coordinator’ has not been relieved of his post. One of those close to the governor said he (Umahi) pledged that he would not remove the coordinator because it would discourage people from working for him…”

  • Six Imo undergrads get Onwuliri scholarship

    Six university undergraduates who hail from Mbaise, Imo State have been awarded this year’s Prof C.O.E Onwuliri International Liaison of Mbaise Indigenes (ILMI) memorial scholarship award.

    The beneficiaries included two each from the three Mbaise local government areas: Ahiazu, Aboh and Ezinihitte.

    They are Chikwendu Anicetus U, Anyanwu Innocentia T., Ugochukwu Ifeoma A., Oguh Emmanuel E., Chikwe Gloria N. and Ododo Chinecherem U.

    The scholarship award was instituted in 2013, following the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash in Lagos, which claimed the life of the late Prof. Celestine Onyemaobi Elihe Onwuliri.

    It is awarded yearly to deserving sons and daughters of Mbaise, who came tops among those that passed the scholarship examination.

    This year’s event – the four-year memorial Mass for the late former FUTO Vice-Chancellor – was held at St. Jude Catholic Parish Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area under the chairmanship of the President-General of Ezuruezu Mbaise, Chief Cyril Anyanwu.

    Anyanwu paid glowing tribute to the late Onwuliri, whom he called “a great man, a living legend who remains perpetually a pride to Mbaise nation, Imo State, Nigeria and the international community”.

    The co-ordinator of the awards, Dr. Damian Dike, on behalf of Prof. Joe Onyeocha of South Carolina, USA, who is the president of ILMI, said the award is only for Mbaise undergraduates in year one in any tertiary institution in Nigeria.

    He said over 200 undergraduates applied and the six that were chosen were those that came tops in written and oral examination set.

    Onyeocha congratulated the recipients on their success.

    In a memorial lecture at DRACC, Emene, Enugu State, titled: “Prof. COE Onwuliri’s Four-point Agenda for Knights; A blueprint for peace and progress in Nigeria”, Dr. George Ikioumoton was of the opinion that the agenda, which focuses on spirituality, discipline, charity and fraternity, could be a blueprint for peace, progress and stability of Nigeria.

    The agenda, Ikioumoton said, is a crystallisation of the objects of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and itself synthesis from the teachings of Jesus Christ in the scripture, which have helped to redirect their focus on evangelisation of the universal church.

    He described the late Onwuliri as a man of any season, who left indelible footprint in all facets of life.

    The lecturer noted that that the KSJI has followed through the path he charted and tremendous benefits have been reaped in growth and stability.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was special guest of honour at the lecture, said, Onwuliri “was a colossus in his own field, a teacher and mentor to many other accomplished scholars.”

    Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, who chaired the memorial lecture, said the late professor was “a fine gentleman, a thorough academician, dedicated, robust man of faith, who carried the weight of the Catholic Church so proudly…”

    Prof. Viola Adaku Onwuliri described her late husband as a wonderful family man, whose legacies have continued to impact positively on the lives of members of his family and beyond.

  • AUN offers scholarship award to 67 students

    The American University of Nigeria (AUN) at the weekend said it has increased its scholarship award for new students to 67.

    The institution, in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Communications and Public Relations, Daniel Okereke, said that examination for the scholarship awards would hold on July 30th, this year.

    The examination centres, according to the statement include: Intels Integrated Logistics Services, Port Harcourt, Federal Government College, Enugu, Mauve 21 Event Centre, Ibadan, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Arewa House, Kaduna, and Robert Pastor E-Library, AUN, Yola, Adamawa state.

    “The American University of Nigeria will hold scholarship examinations for newly accepted students joining the university for the 2016/2017 academic session on Saturday, July 30, 2016,” the statement said.The institution stated that 36 scholarships would be awarded to 36 students with the highest scores in the 2015 Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB) examination nationwide.

    Another 30 scholarships, the statement said, would be awarded to five candidates from each of the six geo-political zones under the university’s regional scholarships program. The statement reads: “36 Scholarships will be awarded to candidates with the highest scores on the 2015 Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB) examination from all the 36 states, and one scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with the highest scores on JAMB UTME nationally.

    “Another 30 scholarships will be awarded to 5 candidates from each of the 6 geo-political regions of the country under the university’s regional scholarships program. Winners of the JAMB based scholarships will be selected based on results of the 2015 UME, while the regional scholarships winners will be selected primarily based on their performance on the 2015 national scholarship examinations.

    “All 2015 UME candidates newly accepted into the university for the Fall 2016 Semester are eligible and invited to sit for the regional scholarships examinations. Candidates transferring from local and foreign universities as well as Direct Entry candidates are ineligible to write the scholarship examinations. “All eligible candidates must bring with them their acceptance letter into AUN and either an international passport, national identity card (ID Card), or Voters Registration Card containing their photograph.

    “Candidates freshly seeking admission and those who have applied, but are yet to be notified of their admission into AUN, and their guardians can phone the test centers to receive permission to take the special scholarship examinations.  Those freshly seeking admission into AUN will need to complete an AUN admission application form at the venue of the examination before being allowed into the testing hall.

    There is no fee attached to this scholarship examination.”