TheNewsGuru

Tag: Scholarship

  • Delta: Scores of Riverine children benefit from Olu of Warri’s Scholarship programme

    Delta: Scores of Riverine children benefit from Olu of Warri’s Scholarship programme

    To advance access to educational opportunities for children in underserved communities within the Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri, and Olori Atuwatse III’s Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF), have partnered with Valley Stream British Academy (VAB), Sapele, to provide 27 children of primary and secondary school enrollment age with 3-6-year scholarships.
    This partnership exemplifies a strong commitment from RIF and VAB to cultivate future leaders who will contribute to the socio-economic advancement of the Warri Kingdom and impact the global landscape.
    Speaking on the importance of the RIF Scholarship Fund, Olori Atuwatse III stated, “The agency to transform our country and continent is education. We understand how critical it is for our children to access quality developmental education. This is why we invest robustly in education at the Royal Iwere Foundation to ensure the potentials of marginalized communities, especially the riverine, are not sidelined. I also applaud the management and staff of the Valley Stream British Academy, Sapele, for supporting this vision to nurture great minds regardless of their backgrounds.”
    “I also use this opportunity to encourage more educational institutions across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels to partner with us, as over 20 million children are out of school according to the UNESCO Global Education Report, and we have many more lives to impact. RIF is resolute in its mission to empower and nurture great minds in the Warri Kingdom because these children are the leaders of tomorrow, and tomorrow is almost here. Let’s equip them for it.”
    The RIF Scholarship Fund is an initiative under the Education Project pillar of the Royal Iwere Foundation, the humanitarian arm of the Warri Kingdom Monarchy. This pillar has been described as a catalyst for positive change and has created educational pathways through projects such as the Teachers Training Programme, Teach For RIF, Love Gardens, STEM Hub Boot Camp, Story Time with Mama Iwere, and Raising Royalty Academy. These initiatives aim to help riverine children and youths in underprivileged communities of the Warri Kingdom achieve their academic goals and contribute to the socio-economic advancement of Warri Kingdom, Delta State, and Nigeria at large.
    The RIF Scholarship Fund works closely with community leaders, parents, and partner schools to provide comprehensive support across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education. Since its inception, it has impacted 43 beneficiaries: 22 at the primary level, 18 at the secondary level, and 3 at the university level. The beneficiaries, ranging in age from 9 to 25, include 19 males and 21 females across 15 communities in Warri. The annual net worth of the scholarships is currently valued between ₦150,000,000 and ₦200,000,000.
    The primary and secondary levels of the RIF Scholarship Fund provide 3-6 years of quality education to underprivileged children aged 9-13 in reputable South-South Nigerian schools. The multi-layered program identifies underserved communities, invites pupils for assessment tests, and offers a 6-8 week boarding program with dedicated teachers, a custom curriculum, and support from child therapists and medical practitioners. The fund wraps up with scholarship exams and onboarding for successful pupils who undergo medicals and complete documentation before starting their new schools. Beneficiaries also join RIF’s Raising Royalty Academy, gaining access to summer camps, leadership coaching, and development programs for global opportunities.
    The Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering the people of the Warri Kingdom for a brighter future. RIF is committed to effectively tackling obstacles and vulnerabilities that could hinder the Kingdom’s continuous development and its capacity to compete internationally through targeted SDG-oriented initiatives. For inquiries about RIF’s projects, please contact the foundation directly.
  • PTDF shortlists 606 candidates in Bauchi to study abroad

    PTDF shortlists 606 candidates in Bauchi to study abroad

    The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has shortlisted 606 candidates from Bauchi State for their PhD and MSc studies abroad.

    Mr Suraju Fari, Head of Overseas Scholarship, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in Bauchi State disclosed this on Monday during the screening and physical verification of the shortlisted candidates.

    According to him, the shortlisted candidates are solely those for oil and gas or renewable energy related programmes.

    Speaking on the criteria used in selecting the candidates, he said they looked at their O’level certificates and first degrees, adding that they also looked at the second degrees of the candidates going for PhD.

    Fari explained that PTDF also looked at how competent the candidates were in defending their proposals, hence the resolve to invite panelists.

    “The process is okay because there is transparency in all what we are doing from the applications because we advertise and give the applicants six weeks to apply.

    “The computer shortlisted the candidates and then our staff shortlisted what the computer had shortlisted because we know that some people can beat the computer.

    “Here in Bauchi, we have 606 shortlisted candidates and today, we are going to interview 204 which consist of 102 PhD and 102 MSc.

    “The mandate of PTDF is to develop capacity, competency, skills in the oil and gas industry and we can not go beyond our mandate.

    “PTDF candidates that normally study abroad are outshining. Our candidates are performing excellently because of the selection process which is transparent and based on merit,” he said.

    Also, one of the panelists, Dr Usman Hassan, Head of Department, Petroleum Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, said most of the proposals of the applicants interviewed so far were relevant to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

    “If the scholars become successful at the end of the programme, they are going to add value and make contributions to the national oil and gas industry,” he said.

    One of the candidates, Ijantiku John, said he applied for the PTDF to pursue his Masters Degree in Environmental Science in Germany and lauded the screening process.

    “The questions they asked are based on your field that you aspire to study and everything is very transparent and no manipulations whatsoever,” he said.

    Another candidate, Hussaini Mohammed, who said that he applied for the PTDF scholarship online for his PhD in Chemical Engineering in Germany, expressed happiness for being shortlisted.

  • PTDF screens candidates for 2024/2025 overseas scholarship

    PTDF screens candidates for 2024/2025 overseas scholarship

    The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the final stage of the selection process for the award of the 2024 overseas scholarship to qualified Nigerians.

    The Head of Overseas Scholarship Scheme, Mrs Bolanle Agboola, told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that only qualified candidates would be awarded.

    The PTDF on February 5 put out an advert inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for the 2024/2025 Postgraduate Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS).

    The physical Interview exercise for shortlisted candidates in the two categories (MSc/PhD) is scheduled to be held between May 20 and 24 in six designated centres across the country’s six geo-political zones.

    According to Agboola, the exercise is not just held in Abuja. We have a centre for the South-South at the University of Port Harcourt; and for South-West, the University of Ibadan.

    Agboola said, ”For the South-East, we have University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus; for North-West we have College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna; and for the North-East we have ATBU, Bauchi.

    ”The exercise is running concurrently in all the six geo-political zones of the county and our target is to select the best candidates for the scholarship.”

    She disclosed that more than 20,000 applications were received, out of which over 5,000 were shortlisted across the zones.

    Agboola  explained that PTDF was an agency of the Federal Government charged with the responsibility of building capacity and capability for the oil and gas industry.

    ”The purpose of this is for the indigenisation of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

    ”Our target is to give the necessary skills and provide the opportunity for Nigerians to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence required for the oil and gas industry.

    ”Note that every state of the nation will get an equal number of candidates based on our budget for the year,” she said.

    On the reason for the overseas training, Agboola explained that it was due to the non-availability of most of the high level equipment needed for the training in the country.

    ”So, we train people abroad, so they can have hands-on experience of all the equipment and technology needed for the industry which is not readily available in the country.

    ”Aside from the overseas scholarship we also have the in-country scholarship where Nigerians are trained within Nigeria.

    ”We have upgraded the facilities of some universities in the country to some level and we partner with these universities to run the scholarship,’’ she added.

    Speaking on the ”Japa syndrome”,Agboola said that the PTDF had some measures in place to ensure that the candidates returned back to the country upon completion of their training.

    She added,”What we do is that the applicants sign bonds with us before going abroad. Also some of these countries we send them to do not allow them to stay back.

    ”Once you have sponsorship from a government agency, if you want to get a stay visa, they will ask you to go back to your sponsor for a letter of no objection.

    ”So these are some of the measures that are in place and I can tell you that lots of them come back.’’

    Agboola said the PTDF was partnering with four countries which the candidates would be sent to for training, adding that they included the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Malaysia.

    Meanwhile, one of the shortlisted candidates, Amira Bello from Niger, expressed delight at the seamless nature and smoothness of the exercise.

    Bello, who expressed optimism that she would be awarded to further her studies in Project Management, urged other Nigerians to key into the process to benefit from the scheme.

    ”I have been hearing about the PTDF scholarship and did not know that it was possible until now. The whole process has been fair and smooth.

    ”I encourage Nigerians out there to apply for this scholarship, as they stand the chance to qualify as the process is based on merit,’ she said.

  • FCT minister, Wike, approves scholarship funding for 13,946 indigent students

    FCT minister, Wike, approves scholarship funding for 13,946 indigent students

    Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike

    has approved N280.3 million in scholarship funding for 13,946 indigent students at all levels of education in the city.

    The mandate secretary at the education secretariat of the FCT administration, Danlami Hayyo confirmed this on Thursday.

    Hayyo spoke during the inauguration of the accelerated rehabilitation of 19 public schools across the FCT.

    The inauguration held at the School of the Gifted, Gwagwalada.

    Hayyo explained that the amount was for new and existing indigent students in different schools and at different levels of learning.

    He said the minister has also resuscitated the school sports festival which was abandoned 25 years ago.

    The mandate secretary said the goal is to enhance FCT learning environments and promote excellence.

    Hayyo said the FCT is looking to ensure that students and teachers have access to quality facilities.

    “It is about laying a foundation for a brighter future for our children,” Hayyo said.

    “We are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that every child in the FCT has access to quality education; to a safe and stimulating learning environment, where they can grow, thrive and transform into the leaders of tomorrow.

    “Let us reflect on the importance of our mission; let us be inspired by the potential impact of our collective efforts.

    “Let us look forward to the successful completion of the project as we continue to work towards a brighter and more prosperous future.”

  • Over 300 students to benefit from Senator Adeola’s scholarship/ bursary award board

    Over 300 students to benefit from Senator Adeola’s scholarship/ bursary award board

    The Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) Scholarship Board has shortlisted over three hundred (300) qualified applicants among those who submitted applications for the 2023 Scholarship Award of the Senator recently. These are applicants who made minimum of second class upper or upper credit in their course of studies across the public tertiary institutions in the country

    This is the first batch in the ongoing process to select one thousand (1000) beneficiaries of the Scholarship and Bursary Award for bonafide Ogun West students in public tertiary institutions across the country. The shortlisted three hundred (300) applicants are enjoined to await further processing of their applications.

    Meanwhile, the Scholarship and Bursary Award Board will again open the portal to receive more applications from bonafide Ogun West students for a period of two weeks commencing 1st January, 2024.

    This time, the bursary award is for all categories of students not below second year (200Level) of study in public tertiary institutions across the country.

    Interested applicants are to log in to the dedicated portal www.yayihelp.com to fill and submit their applications.

    e-Signed:
    Ajiroba Dapo Oke
    Secretary

  • Remi Tinubu awards scholarship to freed FUDMA students

    Remi Tinubu awards scholarship to freed FUDMA students

    The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has offered scholarship, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), to the five rescued undergraduates of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katstina state, who were abductors on Oct. 4.

    The first lady, alongside the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, on Sunday in Abuja, presented N1 million and a new laptop to each of the students who were kidnapped from their private lodge at Dutsin-Ma on Oct. 4.

    She said the scholarship would run for four years, being the period the girls, Safiya Mutu, Hasiya Abubakar, Ramat Adam, Fatima Abdullahi, and Fatima Mohammed, would spend in school.

    They are all currently in 100-level.

    She said that the Federal Government valued their education and safety and promised to give each of their parents  N2 million and the Vice Chancellor of FUDMA, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, N1 million.

    “Since your dreadful abduction on Oct. 4, it has been a period of pain for you, your parents, your teachers and indeed all Nigerians. Throughout this period, we have kept faith and trust in God and in our law enforcement agencies that you will return safely.

    “Since the incident, law enforcement officers from various agencies worked tirelessly to ensure your return home. Today we thank Almighty God for protecting you and reuniting you with your loved ones.

    “I, therefore, join your parents, teachers, and all Nigerians to celebrate this day and assure you of our commitment to support you as you begin your recovery after more than 70 days in captivity.”

    Mrs Tinubu also promised to go beyond their safe return, promising to do a follow up on their development both in school and concerning their mental health.

    “We will do a follow up on your journey not only to recover from this sad episode in your lives, but to see that you accomplish your mission in your educational pursuit and career interests. You must continue to pursue your educational interests.

    “Education is the greatest weapon in the fight against terrorism, by ensuring that you continue to learn, you can rewrite the story of your individual lives and your communities and join in the fight against terrorism and criminality.

    “As we provide you with the necessary medical and psychological support, we at the RHI are also committed to providing you with guidance and support to reach your full potentials.”

    She also commended all security and intelligence services for working tirelessly until the girls returned safely.

    “I also commend the leadership role provided by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in effectively coordinating the measures that led to the release of our daughters.

    “This is an exemplary show of teamwork and effective interagency coordination which is in line with the vision of President Tinubu, We are hopeful that the lessons learnt through this episode will strengthen ongoing processes in place to free all Nigerians held against their will.

    “I express my heartfelt gratitude to you, your parents and teachers for your understanding and patience during the challenging period of your captivity.”

    The Head of the Network Operation Centre of the Office of the NSA, Brig.-Gen. Olutayo Adesuyi, said the first lady’s meeting with the rescued girls is significant as it shows the solidarity of the Federal Governments and support.

    Responding, each of the girls thanked Mrs Tinubu for their king gestures.

  • Seventy-two Nigerian scholars jet off to Hungary

    Seventy-two Nigerian scholars jet off to Hungary

    A group of 72 Nigerian scholars awarded Hungarian postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships, set off from Nigeria for Hungary today 22nd September, 2023.

    Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, made the announcement during a pre-departure ceremony held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Addressing the scholarship recipients, Sununu urged them to represent their country well and become agents of positive change upon their return.

    He stressed the importance of maintaining an attitude of continuous learning, adaptability, and openness to new knowledge as they embark on this phase of their life journeys.

    Sununu said, “Scholarships are a recognition of excellence and a way to support brilliant Nigerians who lack the means to finance their education abroad.”

    He encouraged them to acquire valuable skills during their time in Hungary that would not only benefit their personal development but also contribute to the progress of Nigeria and the global community.

    The Minister said, “Acquire the necessary skills available in your host country, essential for national development. Embrace new challenges, harness the power of knowledge as a catalyst for meaningful change, and utilize the abundant resources available to you.”

    “This opportunity allows you to shape your future and contribute to a better world,” he added.

    Sununu also highlighted the Nigerian Government’s efforts to bolster scholarship schemes by investing more in national and international programs, emphasizing the importance of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) with various development partners to meet the nation’s manpower needs.

    He noted that despite the prevailing global economic challenges, the number of development partners offering scholarships to Nigerians has increased.

    These partners include Hungary, China, Algeria, Romania, Morocco, Serbia, Mexico, Egypt, as well as non-regular partners like Macedonia, Poland, South Korea, Greece, Japan, Tunisia, and Turkey.

    Sununu concluded by expressing Nigeria’s appreciation to Hungary for its contributions in training Nigerian youth and helping Nigeria fulfill its developmental aspirations.

    The Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Astra Ndajiwo, disclosed that out of 150 applications received during the opening of the scholarship scheme to Hungary in 2022, 72 candidates successfully cleared the rigorous screening process.

    She also confirmed that the scholars had received allowances for September to December to facilitate their journey to Hungary, with subsequent allowances scheduled to commence from January 2024.

  • CBN monetary policies: TETfund considering suspension of foreign scholarships

    CBN monetary policies: TETfund considering suspension of foreign scholarships

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said that the recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy had created difficulties in the payment of foreign scholarship tuition fees and stipends.

    The Executive Secretary, TETFund, Mr  Sonny Echono, made this known at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Engagement on Emerging Issues with the TETFund Intervention in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Echono said since the funds allocation was barely enough to service programmes under its Tertiary Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS), the fund was considering suspending foreign scholarships while also considering an upward review of local scholarships.

    ”The fund at this material time is also discouraging beneficiary institutions from initiating new Benchwork programmes.

    ”Additionally, there are issues related to scholars not returning to serve their bonds at their home institutions upon completion of their programmes.

    ”Infact the challenge of scholars absconding has undermine and complicated the TSAS programme and bringing it under intense scrutiny.

    ”It is for these and other reasons that this engagement was organised. We need to address these challenges and find solutions to ensure the effective and smooth implementation of our scholarship programmes,” he said.

    The executive secretary noted that the fund recently signed several MoU’s with some prestigious institutions overseas that include universities in Malaysia, India, Brazil, France and the United States with a view to boosting and enhancing the TSAS programme in the future.

    Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki called on the need to develop new strategies for funding while ensuring sensitivity of the evolving challenging dynamics through qualitative funding.

    Maiyaki advised the fund to revamp its monitoring mechanism for quality assurance so as to have a better return on investment on its projects.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the  House Committee on TETFund, Mrs Miriam Onuoha said in making essential infrastructure available in tertiary institutions, there was need to ensure inclusivity especially with Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD).

    “In our physical planning, we must make accessible the building to be accommodating to the needs of PLWD,” she said.

    In the same vein, the former Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Peter Okebukola, called for a monitoring and implementation system to ensure that academic calendars of universities were adhered to.

    Okebukola who spoke on TSAS, emerging issues and possible solutions, clamour for reduced TETFund oversees scholarships while encouraging in-country training in TETFund strengthened PG programmes.

    He said that rather than continuously spending a lot of funds on foreign training, local universities should be provided with state-of-the-art facilities while carrying out accreditation of postgraduate programmes.

    ”In offering solutions to these challenges, there is need to offer TETFund support to top-rate lecturers from oversees universities to come to Nigeria to join local PG training by Nigerian professors.

    ”We must send professors (of at least 10 years standing) for capacity building to top-rate overseas universities in carefully selected programmes on return to bolster doctoral education and supervision,”he said.

  • UTME result: Innoson withdraws N3 million scholarship awarded to Mmesoma

    UTME result: Innoson withdraws N3 million scholarship awarded to Mmesoma

    The management of Innoson Automobile Company, has withdrawn the N3 million scholarship awarded to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme over her involvement in Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result manipulation.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Cornel Osigwe, Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Group, and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Onitsha.

    According to him, in recent days, we have been involved in the process of investigating allegations surrounding the 2023 UTME examination results of one of our scholarship recipients, Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme.

    “It was reported initially that Miss Joy scored exceptionally high on the exam, a feat that led to her being awarded a scholarship by our company.

    “However, subsequent reports of discrepancies in her UTME score led us to seek clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and to allow her to voice her stance, we engaged in direct dialogue with Miss Joy.

    “Further to this, a committee set up by Gov. Charles Soludo, carried out a thorough independent investigation into this matter,” he said.

    Osigwe noted that the findings from the rigorous investigation have now confirmed that Miss Mmesoma did manipulate her UTME results.

    “This conclusion is deeply disappointing and stands in direct contravention of the values we hold dear at Innoson Vehicles, particularly those that underscore our scholarship program.

    “In line with these principles and response to the confirmed findings, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw the scholarship awarded to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme.

    “This action is a testament to our unyielding commitment to honesty, integrity, and merit-based recognition,” he said.

    He acknowledged that the development was regrettable, and it has undoubtedly caused dismay among those who stood by Miss Mmesoma.

    He assured that Innoson Vehicles remained steadfast in its mission to support deserving students, invest in the future of the education sector, and upheld the highest ethical standards.

  • Hilda Baci bags scholarship up to PhD

    Hilda Baci bags scholarship up to PhD

    Madonna University, Nigeria, has extended its congratulations to Hilda Baci for her remarkable achievement in setting a new world record in the cooking marathon.

    In recognition of her outstanding accomplishment, the university, where Chef Hilda is an alumna, awarded her a scholarship up to the PhD level in the congratulatory message.

    In an official statement titled “Celebrating Excellence and Congratulating our proud Alumna, Hilda Bassey Effiong,” signed by Associate Prof. Martin Anagboso, DVC(Admin), Madonna University expressed its joy and pride in Chef Hilda’s achievement.

    The university confirmed that she has been granted a scholarship up to the PhD level, along with the highest merit award, by the Founder and Chancellor of Madonna University, Nigeria.

    In the statement, Madonna University acknowledged Chef Hilda’s remarkable feat and commended her for setting a new world record in the cooking marathon.

    The statement reads:

    “The management, staff and students of Madonna University, Nigeria congratulate Hilda Bassey Effiong on the award of scholarship to PhD level and Madonna University, Nigeria highest merit award by the Founder and Chancellor.

    “These awards are in recognition of her achievement. Since its inception over two decades ago, Madonna University has prided itself as a pacesetter and record breaker with several achievements under its belt. For instance, it is on record that we are the first private university to go into full operation in Nigeria and the first Catholic University in the West African sub-region. More so, we are the first Nigerian university to operate a 100% boarding system for all students.

    “We have remained steadfast in our commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence, equipping our teeming students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

    And as we nurture and groom our students to be leaders and impact-makers, we also take pride in celebrating the accomplishments of our outstanding alumni who continue to make significant contributions not only in their fields but the society at large.

    “Today, we are thrilled to shine a well-deserved spotlight on Hilda Baci, a remarkable individual whose journey showcases the spirit of excellence, one we are privileged and proud to have taken part in its nurturing. On the 11th of May 2023, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, a talented chef and CEO of MyFoodbyHilda, embarked on a courageous mission to break the Guinness World Records for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

    “With the former record standing at 88 hours, Hilda, in her embodiment of excellence, tenacity, sheer will, masterful culinary skills and unparalleled resilience, sought to not just break the existing record, but also make another by cooking for 96 hours. Remarkably, she extended her cooking time by an additional four hours, bringing it to an impressive 100 hours.”