Caption: From left, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya; its Chairman, Chief Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo; Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro and Director, Admin and Human Resource, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Omotayo Gbajabiamila-Olamona, at the MTN Scholarship Award Ceremony held in Lagos on September 19, 2023.
As part of its annual scholarship initia MTN Foundation, through its annual scholarship initiative has awarded scholarships to 1,101 scholars, comprising 360 undergraduate Nigerian students, and 651 others currently undergoing their studies in various higher institutions.
The awardees were celebrated at ceremonies held in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Okogbule, Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Honorable Peter Akpatason and other notable dignitaries were present.
The annual scholarships, the foundation said, recognise and reward high-performing students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions, and are usually presented to three categories of students – undergraduates in science and technology-related courses, blind students in any field of study and the top 10 candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Nigeria.
So far, through this initiative, 4,590 Nigerian students have received scholarships valued at N3bn over the last 12 years.
Speaking at the Lagos event, Chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi said the “initiative was established with the belief that every individual – regardless of background or socioeconomic status – deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams through education, which has a profound impact on shaping minds, fostering innovation, and driving societal change.
It is imperative to empower the next generation of trailblazers, problem solvers, and African visionaries. This is why we support blind students, top 10 UTME candidates, and top-performing STEM students by facilitating access to education, providing tools and resources to help them thrive academically and professionally,” he stressed.
Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, in his speech delivered by Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Taxation and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, commended the Foundation for its commitment to the development of its host communities.
He noted with delight “the level of commitment of MTN to contributing to the growth and development of its host community in terms of human and infrastructure development. Today’s ceremony, awarding scholarships to deserving recipients and the induction of past beneficiaries into the scholarship alumni, is a commendable gesture and indicative of their corporate social responsibility.”
Ogungbo commended “the board, management and staff of MTN Foundation for keeping faith with their mandate of empowering the youth and promoting academic excellence in public tertiary institutions over the past decade. You have done well, and I urge you not to relent in your pursuit of the promotion of excellence. You have been worthy development partners and stakeholders with the government, and together we will continue to push the agenda of development and growth in our society.”
As part of the MTN Scholarship programme, blind scholars are supported with JAWS screen reader software (authorised licences), while graduating scholars also participate in an employability workshop called “Skill Up!” This, the foundation continued, is designed to equip them with skills required for the world of work.
This year, MTN Foundation partnered with Project Management Institute (PMI) for a two-week virtual workshop, preparing the 2023 graduates with skills in agile project management, it added.
