The MTN Foundation has awarded scholarships worth N42 million to 210 youths with each to get the sum of N200,000 annually, till the end of their tertiary education.
The Chairman MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said at the awards ceremony held on Tuesday in Lagos, that the awardees had to meet certain criteria to qualify for the awards.
Adelusi-Adeluyi said the awardees were either the ten highest scorers in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), or brilliant students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses in tertiary institutions.
He added that some of the awardees are also visually-impaired students, adding that they all had to have a minimum CGPA of 3.50 to qualify and retain the scholarship throughout their stay in school.
Adelusi-Adeluyi said that the students had shown tenacity, dedication, and determination, which are winning qualities that had brought them this far and would take them further.
He said that in the last 12 yrs, the MTN Foundation had awarded scholarships to 4,591 students.
Adelusi-Adeluyi said the essence of the award was the networks built, the relationships nurtured, and the communities that were being strengthened.
“In a similar vein, I encourage you all to keep building meaningful relationships and strengthening existing bonds.
“Look out for each other. Use the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through your education to give back to society.
“You have become torchbearers, lighting the way for a future that is bolder, more inclusive, and more equitable for all.
The chairman said it was a matter of great pride for him to serve the MTN Foundation as it fostered inclusivity and empowerment through education.
He said that it had been 18 years since the Foundation was established and had been working on game-changing initiatives, such as the scholarship program.
Adelusi-Adeluyi noted that the initiative was established with the belief that every individual, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, deserved the opportunity to pursue their dreams through education.
According to him, it is imperative to empower the next generation of trailblazers, problem solvers, and African visionaries, this is why we support visually-impaired students, top 10 UTME graduates, and top-performing STEM students.
He said that the support was by facilitating access to education, providing tools and resources to help the students thrive academically and professionally.
Also, the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, expressed delight with the level of commitment from MTN in contributing to the growth and development of its host community in terms of human and infrastructure development.
He said that awarding scholarships as reward to deserving recipients and the induction of past beneficiaries into the scholarship alumni was a commendable gesture and indicative of MTN’s corporate social responsibility.
Hamzat, who was represented by the Special Adviser, Revenue and Taxation, Mr Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said that “there is ability in disability”, adding that this was why the Lagos State Administration was a strong proponent and advocate of equal opportunity for all.
He said: “MTN Foundation has afforded students living with visual/audio-visual challenges the opportunity to acquire knowledge and education in any field of study from any public tertiary institution, and this is highly commendable.
‘”I am proud to celebrate you all, scholarship award beneficiaries and inductees into the Alumni, and charge you to move with renewed hope into the future.
“You should set benchmarks of contributing to the development and growth of our nation in all sectors of our socioeconomic platforms.
“I commend the Board, Management and Staff of MTN Foundation for keeping faith with your mandate of empowering the youths 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 government.
‘’Together we will continue to push the agenda of development and growth in our society,’’ Hamzat said.
According to the deputy governor, there are emergent opportunities for youths to acquire needed skills and knowledge in the areas of STEM, and to launch themselves into the highest levels of artificial intelligence and robotics engineering.
He said that the acquisition of these skills and knowledge would enable Nigeria compete effectively amongst the comity of nations, and seek for means of utilising technology to make life better for the people.
According to him, MTN as a corporate organisation has contributed to the socioeconomic development of the economy, apart from creating job opportunities and empowerment initiatives across different strata of the society.
He congratulated the Chairman of the Board, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, esteemed board members, management and staff of MTN Foundation.
Hamzat commended them for keeping faith with the mandate and giving hope to many youths and communities over the years.
The Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Mrs Odunayo Sanya, said that the award of scholarship was a powerful demonstration of the words in MTN global brand campaign – “Outdo Your Limits.”
Sanya said that it served as a reminder to all scholars that the “sky is the starting point”.
She said that the previous beneficiaries are proof of what the program could achieve in the lives behind the numbers.
The executive secretary advised the alumni that the lessons learned during their time in the university be turned into a springboard to greater achievements.
“Put the Nigeria of your dreams front and center, and work hard to create it.
“The current scholars, their abilities and talents led them to the Foundation, keep developing and evolving as these will lead you to even greater stepping-stones to your ultimate success.
‘”Remember that this is more than a scholarship program; it’s a platform for continuous development,” Sanya said.
According to her, it is a promise that we make – to each and every one of you – that we will stand by your side and provide guidance and support as you continue to push boundaries.
A beneficiary, Kemioluwa Oluwashola, University of Ilorin, 300 level studying Agricultural Science with a CGPA of 4.54, said her father saw the advert and sent it to her.
Oluwashola said that she applied and was shortlisted.
“This scholarship is a privilege and I appreciate the MTN Foundation for it. I promise to use the opportunity given to me to create meaningful impact on the society.
A visually-challenged alumni, Florita Bukunmi, said that a CGPA of 3.5 at the University of Benin qualified her for the scholarship.
Bukunmi said that the fund enabled her to get materials to learn and expressed appreciation to MTN Foundation.
Similar scholarship awards were held in Abuja and Port Harcourt.
In all, a total of 370 students; 300 student in STEM, 60 visually-impaired and 10 best 2023 UTME candidates were given scholarships from the two states and the Federal Capital Territory.
