The Nation Newspaper

Tag: scholarship

  • Cowbellpedia champ gets scholarship

    •Winner gets $2,500 gifts

    Winner of the first edition of the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show in 2015, Ayodele Akinkuowo, has won a scholarship to study Aeronautic Engineering at the University of Moscow, Russia.

    He is also getting an extra $2,500 from Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk and sponsors of the contest.

    Akinkuowo was a pupil of the Adeyemi College of Education Demonstration Secondary School, Ondo, Ondo State when he won the Cowbellpedia Mathematics competition in November 2015.

    At a reception in his honour in Lagos, Mr. Anders Einarsson, Promasidor’s Managing Director, said the firm was proud of Akinkuowo for being a good Cowbell Ambassador and gave the cash token to support his trip.

    Responding to the gesture, Akinkuowo thanked Promasidor and and promised to do more in all his future endeavours. He said the competition had taught him to be courageous, have faith and hope.

    “The day I won the competition three years ago, my mother wept. When the then Governor Olusegun Mimiko invited me and my parents to the Government House in Akure for doing the state proud, I wept, especially after the governor shook my hand. I can never forget such moments. God and Promasidor have been kind to me. I will never forget,” he said.

    He said winning Cowbellpedia emboldened him to apply for the scholarship.

    “Actually, I got the information from a friend and I collected the form. The process was tough, but I just had this confidence that I can fly. I told my friends that after Cowbellpedia, nothing can scare me again, especially the fact that we were the first set on the TV Quiz Show,” Akinkuowo said.

    He described the scholarship as a dream come.

    “The Civil Engineering, I was studying at the University of Ibadan was actually my second choice. So, when this came, it was, indeed, a dream come true,” he said.

  • Bauchi indigenes get scholarship

    Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar has secured scholarship opportunities for indigenes at King Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Kingdom of Morocco

    It was one of the outcomes of his visit to the Kingdom of Morocco at the instance of Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa.

    Abubakar and his entourage also visited King Mohammed VI Polytecnic University, Ben Guerir where he secured capacity building and scholarship opportunities for Bauchi State indigens.

    A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications, Mr. Shamsuddeen Lukman Abubakar reads: “The Governor used the opportunity to solicit for admission and scholarship opportunities for indigenes of Bauchi State and capacity building courses for civil servants. The University graciously granted His Excellency’s solicitation.

    “The Bauchi State Government and the University management agreed on the following: Offer of full scholarship to indegenes of Bauchi State for undergraduate studies, full scholarship for staff of the State Ministry of Agriculture at Masters level, collaboration between the University and the Bauchi State College of Agriculture and also the Bauchi State University’s newly established faculty of Agriculture in areas of research, technology transfer and staff training.

    “The university is owned by the OCP-Group.”

    The governor also visited King Mohammed VI Polytecnic University, Ben Guerir where he sought and got consent for the building of a new Fertiliser plant in Bauchi State.

    The spokesman added:  “Governor Mohammed Abubakar and a team from the state Ministry of Agriculture are currently in the Kingdom of Morocco to attend the programme of Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP-Africa) in Casablanca in fulfillment of bilateral agreement between Bauchi State government and the Kingdom of Morocco.

    “The Moroccan company, Office Chérifien des Phosphates, OCP-Group are the largest exporters of Phosphate in all its forms worldwide and the world’s first exporters of Phosphate based products. Phosphate is used in making high quality fertilizer.The Governor, in company of  Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Amb Abubakar Baba paid a visit to one of OCP’s Chemical Complexes, Jorf Lasfar Chemical Complex, which is the largest in the world.

    “The Executive Director, Industry Operations took the governor and his entourage round the 504.00 HA complex. The Jorf Lasfar Industrial Complex have the capacity to supply Phosphate to the whole world as they comfortably produce 13 million tonnes daily and 6 million kilo-tonnes per annum,” he said.

    He said a strategy meeting was held between the Bauchi State Government delegation headed by  Governor Abubakar and the Management of the OCP Group headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the group, Mr. Karim Lotfi Senhadji.

    According to him, agreements were concluded whereby the OCP Group agreed to: “Collaborate with the Bauchi State Government in numerous areas of modern agricultural development.”

    “As result of the Governors ’s unwavering commitment to the development of Agriculture in the state and his outstanding achievements in the sector particularly the resuscitation of the Bauchi Fertilizer company

    “The OCP Group have resolved to complement the efforts of His Excellency the governor by building a brand new world-class standard fertilizer company in the state. The new company will be large enough to cater for the needs of the entire northern region.nThe group also promised to upgrade the existing Bauchi Fertilizer Company.

    “Similarly, to kick-start the collaboration, OCP have already approved the commencement of OCP school lab project in the state.

  • 10 first-class students, 1,000 more get N20m scholarship

    Ten first-class students were among almost 1,000 students of Oyo State origin, who benefited from the N20 million scholarship and educational award given to students in tertiary institutions.

    The scholarship, given by the Deputy Governor (Operations), Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, was part of events to mark the Easter celebration.

    The event tagged: “Easter celebrations with Oyo State students”, featured essay competition, debates, bursary, talent showcase and motivational talks.

    It was held at Bayo Adelabu Foundation, Baale Oyewole Street, Jericho, Ibadan.

    Besides 10 first-class students, who received N50,000 each, over 800 students went home with N15,000 each.

    The five finalists in an essay competition, with the theme: “Achieving inclusive development in Oyo State through government policies, programmes and institutions”, were given N25,000 to N100,000.

    Addressing reporters, Adelabu said the essence of the programme was to show support to Oyo State students in tertiary institutions, as one of the motives of Bayo Adelabu Foundation, which had been in existence for 10 years.

    He said: “Today, we are celebrating Easter with Oyo State students from tertiary institutions. We received over 100 entries and five emerged as finalists. These are essays that show us what we need to do in Oyo State to take it to the next level.

    “We gave prize money from N50,000 to N200,000 to essay winners. Also, we gave scholarship and bursary awards to about 1,000 students to achieve success in their educational career.”

    Adelabu said the scheme would be an annual event, adding that the prize money will be increased.

  • Fayose okays N253m for bursary, scholarship

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has approved N253.6 million for bursary and scholarship to students of Ekiti State origin.

    The governor was said to have made the move to stop the planned mass protest by Federation of Ekiti State Students (FESSU).

    The students’ body had threatened to shut down Ado-Ekiti, the capital, if the governor failed to pay their bursary and scholarship at the expiration of its seven-day ultimatum.

    The students were angry that Fayose had not paid bursary and scholarship since assuming office in 2014.

    FESSU also asked the government to give the body a secretariat and a bus, as well as resolve strikes at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) and College of Education in Ikere-Ekiti.

    The governor acceded to their request to pay bursary and scholarship for the 2017/2018 session.

    While 2,645 students will benefit from bursary, which ranges from N10,000 to N150,000, 871 others will benefit from scholarship, which ranges from N60,000 to N1.5 million.

    Thirty overseas PhD students will get N1,500,000 each, totalling N45 million; 184 Law students will receive N150,000 each as bursary, amounting to N27.6 million and 450 undergraduate students will get N60,000 each as scholarship, amounting to N27 million.

    The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Jide Egunjobi said in a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti that 15 physically-challenged students will get N60,000 as scholarship, while 198 students offering Master’s in Nigeria will receive N250,000.

    Seventeen overseas Master’s students will also get NN500,000 each, while 160 PhD students (in Nigeria) will receive N750,000.

    The commissioner added that Fayose approved the scholarship and bursary to the qualified students after verification.

  • Child model bags scholarship, father gets eye surgery

    More good news seems to be coming the way of kid model, Oluwatobiloba Falana who was recently signed to Qtaby Events. Tobi has now been awarded a scholarship up to university level by Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc led by Mr. Jegede Abiodun Paul.

    Making the announcement last week, Mr Paul, who is also the Chairman of Jegede Paul Foundation, revealed that he has also paid for Tobi’s father’s eye surgery as he is blind from prolonged cataract.

    Late last year, a viral picture showing the cute little boy photobombing a wedding picture made rounds on the internet, with many applauding the photographer, Ayaworan Media House, and adoring the boy for his cheesy attitude.

    Days after, people started seeking out the boy to send in gifts and donations towards his welfare, especially after hearing his touching story.

    According to reports, Tobi was abandoned by his Mom when he was a month old and is being raised by his father and a nanny.

    Although Oluwatobiloba had never seen the four walls of a school, he has a good command of English language considering his age. He speaks and understands English Language.

    He is presently being managed by Qtaby Events.

  • Belemaoil gives scholarship to slain soldiers’ kids

    Belemaoil gives scholarship to slain soldiers’ kids

    An Indigenous oil company in Niger Delta, Belemaoil Producing, has announced an annual scholarship to 300 children of slain soldiers.

    The gesture is for children of soldiers, who died in the Northeast and Niger Delta.

    The award, valued at N45 million, would see each beneficiary receiving N150,000 annually.

    Founder/President of Belemaoil Tein Jack-Rich announced the award at the groundbreaking of the 16 Brigade Command,  named Camp Burutai, in Yenagoa,  Bayelsa State capital.

    He said: “I, on behalf of my company, hereby pronounce the award of annual scholarship to 300 children of Nigerian service men and women that paid the ultimate price in the country’s Northeast and the Niger Delta.”

    The company, in January,  released scholarship of over N100 million to 374 indigent students in Rivers State for the 2017/2018 academic year.

    Speaking on the project,   Jack-Rich said:”It is a great honour for us (Belemaoil) to be here today and be a part of a laudable project as this.  This is the second time Belemaoil is partnering  the 16 Brigade  in a project as this,  the first was a 100-bed hostel at Elele, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “I will be very happy to have all the details worked out to making sure this project goes on. Bayelsa and Rivers states have been one and when I heard of this project in Bayelsa, I said I have to be here.”

    Jack-Rich announced the takeover of the construction of 30 units “Corporal Below Quarters” at the Camp Burutai site.

    “Belemaoil has decided to take over the construction of 30 units Corporal Below quarters for the Camp Burutai and to demonstrate the love that has brought us together within Bayelsa and Rivers State, and the super-excellent services that have been rendered by the Army, especially JTF, in our area of operations,” he said.

    While calling on other corporate bodies to support the military, he  said the company would commit over N116 million to the project.

    He lauded Governor  Seriake Dickson  for making available land for the project.

    Chief of Army Staff Lieut-Gen. Tukur Burutai hailed Jack-Rich for his support and donation of a block of 30-unit mini-flats for soldiers and their families.

    Seriake Dickson described Jack-Rich as a promoter of communal peace and stability.

    He said: “Let me appreciate the president of Belemaoil who has been doing big businesses and making good money in this state and around this area. You have done very well for the military. I have heard the good work about the way you are running your company and promoting communal peace and stability.

    “This state also needs your support. We need more captains of industry to do what Belemaoil has just announced and I want to thank you all and solicit for collaboration and support for this brigade and indeed for all arms of our nation’s security services in the state.”

    The Army chief  presented a plaque to the Founder/President of Belemaoil in recognition of his support for the military.

  • Crescent varsity’s founder gives scholarship to 30 freshers

    No fewer than 30 students, mostly indigent, clinched the Bola Ajibola Academic and Moral Excellence Scholarship at the 13th matriculation of the Crescent University Abeokuta.

    The scholarship was instituted by the institution’s founder and former judge of the International Court of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola.

    Announcing the scholarship on behalf of the founder, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, said the scholarship was part of the university’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which started since its inception in 2005.

    A total of 416 students admitted into the Colleges of Arts, Social and Management Sciences (CASMAS); Natural and Applied Sciences (CONAS); Information and Communication Technology (CICOT); Environmental Sciences (COES); Bola Ajibola College of Law(BACOLAW) and School of Postgraduate Studies, took the university’s matriculation oath.

    Congratulating all the 416 students, Gbajabiamila advised them to be focused and “make the best use of the golden opportunity presented by their admission into Crescent University Abeokuta.

    He assured them that they would get quality training at the institution, saying: “It is our resolve to train and produce men and women of strong character and integrity, who will build a virile and just society. All these are encapsulated in the vision and mission of the university and they have served as the elixir and driving force of our institution.”

    Gbajabiamila said an extension of admission deadline by one week by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) would increase the number of students.

    While expressing appreciation to Crescent University Parent Forum and alumni, he praised governments of Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara and Lagos states for their generous scholarship awards to students from their states in the past.

     

  • Firm gives 374 Rivers students scholarship

    •‘12,000 jobs underway’

    Belemaoil Producing Nigeria Ltd has awarded scholarship to 374 students from oil producing communities in Rivers State.

    The award is in compliant with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, under the NNPC/Belemaoil Joint Venture (JV).

    The scholarship, given in three categories of post-primary, undergraduates and post-graduates levels, was meant to assist indigent but brilliant students.

    One hundred and twenty-one of the beneficiaries are in secondary schools, 175 are undergraduates and 78 are pursuing post-graduate programmes.

    Each of the categories was given financial packages ranging from N60, 000 to N200, 000 and N300, 000.

    Speaking at the handing over of cheques in Port Harcourt, the Founder and President of the company, Tein Jack-Rich, said the essence of the intervention was to assist indigenes of oil-bearing communities to realise their dreams, for the development of their communities.

    He said: “We are here not just to celebrate the success attained by the beneficiaries, but to also honour the privilege given to us as a company to serve.

    “We recognise that if one jokes with education, one is joking with future. If you fail to grab these young ones, who have the enthusiasm and flair to pursue their academic dream, you are limiting their future opportunities.

    “What we have come here to celebrate is not just a display of wealth, but also a display of interest; that believing in youths of today is unlocking the future of tomorrow and that is making the society a better place.”

    Jack-Rich hailed the partners, including National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), host communities, youths, the bank, state government and President Muhammadu Buhari for their support.

    He advised the beneficiaries to see the scholarship as an opportunity to develop themselves and unlock their talents.

    Jack-Rich said: “The total scholarship per annum is over a hundred million naira. What we have given today is over seventy million naira cheques and we have students in Cyprus, the UK, America, Canada, Ghana, Malaysia and Phillipines.”

    He said the company is hoping to create about 12,000 jobs if its proposal with the Presidency is approved.

    The chairman of the occasion, Chief Alabo Tonye Graham Douglas, praised the initiative of Jack-Rich and enjoined the beneficiaries not to misuse the opportunity.

    The Executive Vice-President (Finance, Administration and Human Resources), Belemaoil, Rosemary Asiegbu, urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity and emulate the virtues of their benefactor by assisting in nation building.

    The beneficiaries hailed the firm for the opportunity, saying it would ease their financial challenges.

     

  • Yahaya Bello will go, but scholarship will remain

    Yahaya Bello will go, but scholarship will remain

    SIR: I doubt if anyone with a modicum of conscience or education can give thumbs up to the government of Kogi State. The state especially under the current administration has consistently showed its incompetence – how grossly incapable it is to effect any worthwhile deliverables. In fact, I’m constrained to submit that it does not possess the conscience to get embarrassed even if the entire institutions in the state closed down throughout this sad, ignoble and unhappy regime.

    They do not appear to possess enough dose of honour to process the implications of our collective disaffection and agitations. I stopped writing about them a long time ago because they won’t be around for ever, will they?

    I will forgive Bello and his gang a thousand times, than accept the debasement of our scholarship. I often can’t easily let go each time any member of this community regales in unscholarly indulgences.

    The tens of thousands of students who have taken a position over the protracted strike in the state’s tertiary institutions have been demonized in the most unfair and undignified manner.

    What the older generation owes this demographic is an honest, a humble (not condescending) and consistent analysis, education and engagement. I think it’s important that our university teachers be reminded how strategic their profession is to the development of an informed and tolerant society. And it cannot be achieved through the paternalistic approach which unfortunately pervades the Nigerian campus space.

    You see, scholarship got badly injured the moment our academics became too intolerant to opposing views. The arrogance that made transparency become a matter of convenience, is no less a trouble for progressive thoughts. College teachers now have a feeling that they owe no one any explanation for actions or decisions they take – much less the students (the very reason for their engagement/employment). It is on record that historic movements began on college campuses – probably by young and inexperienced people – which presupposes that the concept of tolerance, free speech and an operationalized understanding of education were in force.

    Evidently, Kogi State University chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (KSU-ASUU) does not deem it a matter of obligation to reach out to its internal and external publics particularly its students and their parents. Sadly still, pro – ASUU sentiments on various media platforms would rather decry the misguidedness of ‘our youth’ than engage with relevant information.

    Teacher – student mutually respectful engagement is neither a concession nor condescension. It is a duty. And if you believe they don’t have sufficient intelligence to understand, perhaps it is time to interrogate what they are being taught.

    We must fix this.

     

    • Oshaloto, Joseph Tade

    Igbaruku-Oke-Eri, Kogi State.

     

  • Students urge Wike to release funds for scholarship

    Students urge Wike to release funds for scholarship

    Twenty-three final-year students of University of Debrecen’s Medical School, Hungary, sponsored by the Rivers State government, have urged Governor Nyesom Wike to release funds, to enable them complete their studies.

    They made the plea yesterday in an online statement, saying they were awarded scholarship in 2012 to study medicine by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), when Rotimi Amaechi, now Transportation minister, was governor.

    The students said they had no political affiliation, but were young people trying to improve their lives.

    Their names and local governments are Amachree Ibaniyi (Asari-Toru), Azundah Chizalam Kinikanwo (Ikwerre), Chiogbonda Wisdom Chimenem (Obio/Akpor), Choko Sarah Uchechi (Etche), Chris-Banigo Dagogo (Bonny), Collins Clifford (Port Harcourt), Dede Onisoyonivosekume (Ahoada West), Eziam Emmanuel Chukwuka (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Finebone Adawari Godswill (Opobo/Nkoro), Gogo Selemi Ereleoyekipe (Abua-Odual) and Inoma-Batubo Tamunomiete (Asari-Toru).

    Others are Jacks Ibiye (Akuku-Toru), Jim-Halliday Stephanie Tamunotumini (Bonny), Keohane Lugard (Ahoada West), Nwidaa Igwe Mecha (Eleme), Odum Noble Chidinma (Etche), Ogbonda Chikerueze Davies (Obio/Akpor), Ogum Albert (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Samuel Kalenebari Anthony (Khana), Tanen Kate Bari-iye (Gokana), Wakama Boma Keren (Ogu/Bolo), Woke Chika Godfrey (Emohua) and Yiikoh Sukah Sunday (Khana).

    The students said: “The scholarship was awarded to us based on merit, after rigorous examinations and interviews, contrary to claims of our being children of the governor’s rich political enemies. A contract was signed by both parties, thereby binding the Rivers State government to provide our tuition fees, living expenses and book allowances for the full extension of our studies (2012 to 2018).

    “In 2015, Governor Wike asked for students under the scholarship to be sent back home due to insufficiency of funds to continue the sponsorship. We were offered to be placed in Nigerian universities, but the promise was never fulfilled, as plans were never made to book flights and obtain admissions in the schools. Most of us cannot travel out of the country, because our international passports and other documents are being held by our landlords and other creditors.

    “We have spent 38 months (three years and two months) fending for ourselves. We have undergone hardships, been sent out of our apartments and have run into huge debts, in our bid to survive. Our university has been gracious enough to allow us continue our studies, despite our debts, with the condition that our certificates will be withheld, until our debts are paid.

    “We are owing our university more than three academic years’ worth of tuition fees. This is a lot of money. It is practically impossible for any of us to raise such sums on our own. It is pertinent that this money be paid, since we are in final year and we cannot graduate without paying our debts.

    “Being in a foreign country, far away from home, and having no funds being sent to us for the past three years, we have a lot of challenges, including studying for difficult medical examinations, which we are not even sure we will be allowed to take, while being hungry, depressed and starved for days, with some of us sleeping outside in the cold in winter and others with the fear of being evicted by landlords.”

    They said efforts to communicate with the government had been futile.