The MTN Foundation, MTNF has awarded scholarships to 370 Science and Technology students from different tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The Award Ceremony was held in Abuja, together with Alumni Induction of the MTNF.
The Executive Secretary of the MTNF, Mrs Odunayo Sanya, said that MTNF Scholarships served as launch pads for some of the brightest minds to attain greater heights.
Sanya explained that these scholarships were in furtherance with MTNF’s commitment to empower the youth and encourage academic excellence in public tertiary institutions across the country.
She noted that since inception, MTNF has awarded the sum of N200,000, yearly to eligible students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The Executive Secretary also said that the visually impaired students in any discipline under the MTNF Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS) were not left out.
Skill Up Training
She said that upon graduation, each scholar takes part in the MTNF ‘Skill Up Training’ to ensure they were well equipped to compete and add value to themselves and the society.
“It’s this same faith and belief in the brilliance of our students that spurs us to invest in their education mindful of its critical role in our nation’s development.Our work in preparing these future leaders does not end there. Upon graduation, each scholar takes part in the MTN Foundation ‘Skill Up Training’ to ensure they are well equipped to compete and add value,” Sanya noted.
She added that “We are proud of the work we do through this initiative, guided by our unwavering belief in the transformative power of education in our nation.We are also excited about what lies ahead for our scholars and alumni and wish you the very best in your endeavours.Here’s to your success!You can be sure that we will be rooting for you as you navigate new terrain and we have faith that you will do great things”.
A visually impaired lawyer, Dr Michael Abiodun, said that there was no single human being without limitations, that challenges were common to all except the dead.
Abiodun encouraged the students to develop some helpful habits like setting up goals, hardwork and determination as they journey in life.
“A student who hopes to have an organised life, which is streamlined to achieve a definite purpose must set an agenda for himself. It is a known fact that nothing good comes easy. We must decide to always give what it takes, even if it means stretching ourselves beyond our previous limits.Dreaming is a very exciting exercise but our expected results will never be handed over to us on a platter.What your life will turn to be will largelyrest on your perspective. So we must learn to be optimistic and ask the right questions,” he said.
He urged the beneficiaries to take it up from here and be the best they possibly can be, which is attainable, when the right habits were cultivated.
He wished all the beneficiaries success and thanked the MTNF for assuaging the economic burdens of students in public tertiary institutions.
MTNF awarded 300 University Students in Science and Technology courses, ten best in Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and 60 blind students in any field of study.
Confidence Okwuchi
