Arise News journalist and media professional, Emeka Monye, in a commendable gesture of philanthropy and academic support, has launched the Emeka Monye Scholarship Prize with a ₦200,000 award presented to the best graduating student in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The inaugural recipient, Miss Ahueze Isioma, was honoured during the university’s prize and award night held recently at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium. She received the cash prize of ₦200,000, a plaque, and a certificate of recognition for her exceptional academic performance and commitment to excellence.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Monye, himself an alumnus of the Department of Mass Communication at UNN, described the initiative as a personal way of giving back to the institution that shaped his career. “Rather than fail me, UNN imparted positively on me in such a manner that I will forever remain grateful. The school taught me resilience, focus, discipline, and ultimately gave me the ticket that has opened doors for more than two decades,” he stated.
Currently a broadcaster with Arise News TV, Monye has also worked with other notable media houses including Silverbird, ThisDay, and Kaftan TV.
He emphasised the value of celebrating academic excellence, particularly at a time when many departmental prizes offer uninspiring cash sums. “Some departments give as low as ₦5,000. In today’s Nigeria, that holds little or no economic value. The ₦200,000 prize is a more impactful incentive,” he said.
Divine grace
Miss Ahueze, described by Monye as “humble, unassuming, but deeply intellectual and brilliant,” expressed her gratitude and pledged to continue striving for academic excellence. She credited her success to hard work and divine grace.
Beyond the award, Monye revealed a long-term vision for the scholarship. “We have a three-phase plan: short-term beginning with this inaugural award, medium-term implementation within five years to establish more structure, and long-term, involving the setup of a Board of Trustees to institutionalise the program.”
He also called on fellow UNN alumni to support the institution. “We owe it a social responsibility to give back to the university that gave us the ticket to be where we are today,” he urged.
The Emeka Monye Scholarship Prize aims to become a lasting legacy that supports, encourages, and inspires future generations of media and communication professionals at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Lateefah Ibrahim