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Dangote Refinery Gives Scholarship To 460 Students In Host Communities

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angote Refinery Gives Scholarship To 460 Students In Host Communities

Olushola Okunlade Writes

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited have awarded scholarships to 460 students of secondary schools and tertiary institutions from its host communities in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State.

The company said the scholarship had become an annual event meant to contribute to the educational development of the people and position them rightly in the scheme of things in Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

The scholarships were presented to 443 secondary school students and 17 tertiary institution students from its host communities around Ibeju-Lekki.

angote Refinery Gives Scholarship To 460 Students In Host Communities
Left-Right: Dangote Fertilizer General Manager Haman/ Admin, Olusegun Basorun, Chief Mufutau Dauda, Baale of Magbon Segun / Chairman of Baale in Ibeju- Lekki, Bello Shakirat, One of the beneficiary, Student from Community High school Lekki, Dangote Industries Limited, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Devakumar Edwin, Ajangboju Moruff, beneficiary From Community Senior High school Magon Segun, Hon. Tosin Osunnuga, Secretary Lekki LCDA, who represented the Chairman of Lekki LCDA, at the 2022 Scholarship award to qualified secondary and tertiary students of the host communities Youths of the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Projects Lekki Lagos today.

Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development, Dangote Group, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, presented the scholarships to beneficiaries yesterday at an event attended by traditional rulers and government officials in Lagos State. Edwin said the Dangote Group believes that education is the passport to the future and that an investment in knowledge yields the greatest dividends for mankind.

He said the company had over the years supported the Nigerian educational sector by instituting scholarship award programs. According to him, this is part of the company’s education intervention initiative for indigenous students of host communities impacted by its businesses.

He stated: “In 2019, we executed a pilot of the scholarship program where 51 secondary school students from our 15 host communities here in Ibeju Lekki were awarded. However, we could not hold the second edition in the year 2020 due to the incidence of COVID -19 and its associated effects not only on businesses but on every household.” 

“In 2021, 118 secondary school students and 19 tertiary institution students from our host communities were awarded the scholarship award and after a rigorous screening process this year, 443 secondary school students and 17 tertiary institution students have qualified for the scholarship award.”

While congratulating the beneficiaries, he enjoined them to continue to work hard at their studies, strive to achieve excellence in all that they do, and never stop giving their best.

“Your achievements are a testament to your determination, perseverance, and commitment to excellence, and we are honoured to celebrate your success with you today”, he added.

angote Refinery Gives Scholarship To 460 Students In Host Communities
Left-Right: Chief Mufutau Dauda, Baale of Magbon Segun / Chairman of Baale in Ibeju- Lekki, Bello Shakirat, one of the beneficiaries, student from Community High School Lekki, Dangote Industries Limited, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Devakumar Edwin, Ajangboju Moruff, beneficiary from Community Senior High School Magon Segun, Hon. Tosin Osunnuga, Secretary Lekki LCDA, who represented the Chairman of Lekki LCDA, at the 2022 Scholarship award to qualified secondary and tertiary students of the host communities youths of the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Projects Lekki Lagos today.

Edwin encouraged the awardees to make the most of the opportunities and to always strive for excellence. “Remember that your education is a gift, and it is up to you to make the most of it. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow, and do not be afraid to take risks. We are proud to support your education and future endeavors, and we look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish in the years ahead. Congratulations again to all our scholars.”

“With the continuous support of the people and the Lagos State Government, we shall not relent in our efforts to be socially accountable while we positively impact our host communities. We look forward to a continuous peaceful and rewarding relationship with our host communities in Ibeju Lekki,” Edwin said. 

On his part, the traditional ruler of Lekki, Onilekki of Lekki Land, Oba (King) Liasim Ogunbekun said that the program was a blessing to the community and gave kudos to the Dangote Group. “We appreciate Dangote Group because this is not their first time but their third scholarship edition to the host communities in Ibeju Lekki.”

“I urge the beneficiaries to put in more effort in their academic pursuit and justify the amount being paid for the scholarship.”We thank the Dangote Group because a lot of improvements have been recorded in the lives of the participants,” Ogunbekun said.

One of the beneficiaries of the City & Guilds Engineering training program, Raheem Olukayode thanked Dangote Group for the opportunity to study, become an engineer, and impact positively to society.

“The training has been beneficiary because it supports the less privilege who are interested in furthering their education to achieve their dreams in spite of financial challenges.”

The program is simply going to positively affect the development of Ibeju-Lekki in the future because we are going to have more engineers emerging from this area. “We were told that after level three training, the best of us will be given job opportunities to work with Dangote Group so we are encouraged to give our best to win the slot,” Olukayode said.

Also, the Head Girl of Community Senior High School, Magbon Segun, Ibeju Lekki, Sano Omolere said that the scholarship had assisted their parents in supporting their education. “For instance, some students have relented in their effort to further their education because of lack of money.”

“However, this scholarship has supported our parents to provide us with school fees and books that have encouraged a lot of us to do better in class,” the head girl said.

Education

Wema Bank Employees Donate Chairs, Tables To Isale Eko Grammar School

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Wema Bank Employees Donate Chairs, Tables To Isale Eko Grammar School
Rashidat Okunlade Writes
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s leading financial institution known for its dedication to social responsibility, marked a momentous occasion today as it made a substantial donation of chairs and tables to Isalẹ Eko Grammar School.
This heartfelt gesture, a testament to Wema Bank’s unwavering commitment to community development, was made possible through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative, the “Salary for Love” campaign. During this remarkable endeavor, Wema Bank’s compassionate staff members selflessly contributed their salaries, embodying the spirit of giving back and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others.
The culmination of this initiative took place on the 19th of May, 2023, at Isale Eko Grammar School. The newly acquired furniture will undoubtedly transform the learning environment, creating a haven of comfort and inspiration for the students as they embark on their academic journeys.
Speaking at the donation ceremony, Uchenna Obazeh, the Head of Credit Risk Management at Wema Bank, emphasized the bank’s firm belief in the transformative power of education. He commended the unwavering dedication of Wema Bank’s staff members and their resolute commitment to supporting education within the community.

Wema Bank Employees Donate Chairs, Tables To Isale Eko Grammar School

Dr. Mukaila Olatoye Principal, Isale Eko Senior Grammar School; Head, Credit Risk Management, Wema Bank, Uchenna Obazeh; Principal, Isale Eko Junior Grammar School, Mr. Apotisike Francis, during the donation of chairs and tables to Isale Eko Grammar School by the bank recently.

According to him, “Through the ‘Salary for Love’ initiative, our employees have showcased their exceptional devotion to shaping a brighter future through education. We are humbled to contribute to the growth and development of Isale Eko Grammar School, as we remain steadfast in our mission of corporate citizenship.”
Dr. Mukaila Olatoye, the principal of Isalẹ Eko Grammar School, expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the institution, recognizing the profound influence this generous donation will have on the student’s educational pursuits.
In addition to the remarkable furniture donation, Wema Bank extended its support even further by bestowing scholarships to two remarkable individuals from Isalẹ Eko Grammar School. These scholarships provide invaluable financial assistance and will serve as stepping stones for these exceptional students as they unlock their full potential and courageously chase their dreams.
As the event ended, an atmosphere of gratitude and appreciation permeated the air, with the students of Isale Eko Grammar School expressing their heartfelt thanks for the remarkable donation. Wema Bank’s commitment to positive social impact and its continued pursuit of opportunities to create meaningful change only further solidifies its position as a driving force in community development and a beacon of hope for students striving for excellence.

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2020 MTOTY Winner, Anani Wins $10,000 International Education Grant

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2020 MTOTY Winner, Anani Wins $10,000 Education Grant on Education

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

The winner of the 2020 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, Ms. Olubunmi Anani, has won an international grant from the Muhammad Sanusi 11 Sustainable Development Goals Initiative Challenge with a project titled “Quality Education for All”.

 

The grant was awarded to Anani as part of efforts to scale up innovative education projects for improved education in Nigeria. She and nine other teachers from different countries were selected as winners of the Sustainable Development Goals Challenge Showcase for Cohort 2  from the 25 finalists. Each winner would receive a grant of $10,000. She was selected for her commitment to empowering vulnerable out-of-school girls and child mothers in the North-Eastern part of the country.

 

Speaking on the grant, Anani described it as a huge enabler that would assist the team in making education easily accessible to vulnerable children, especially those who live in rural areas.

 

She said her participation in the MS11 Accelerator program is geared towards accessing resources that would help bring quality education to the reach of vulnerable children in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.

 

“It is a pure privilege to be empowered to make an indelible impact in our lives and the future of the vulnerable out-of-school girl child in North-East Nigeria. It is a rare humanitarian gesture to invest ten thousand dollars, resources, and mentorship support towards ensuring that the vulnerable populations in Africa and North-East Nigeria are part of the vision for SDGs 4 and 5,” she said.

 

She further vowed to make judicious use of the resources to achieve the donor’s vision as expressed in SDGs 4 and 5.

 

“We do not take this privilege for granted, and we will do our very best. With the accelerator card given to us, we commit ourselves to His Highness’s vision from the SDGs 4 and 5 in North-East, Nigeria,” she added.

 

The MS 11 SDG project addresses a wide range of issues that include disability, displacement, access to learning materials, girls’ health, digital skills, and many more. It aims to empower teachers to provide inclusive education and drive innovative community projects to overcome education challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates Batch 3 Graduates From Her Abaji Technical Training Center

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Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates Batch 3 Graduates From Her Abaji Technical Training Center

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Precious Iyamu is one of the 20 beneficiaries who were awarded certificates of completion of Nestlé Nigeria’s technical training program at the Abaji Technical Training Center.

He made his family and friends proud as the best-graduating student of Batch 3, achieving 31 distinctions and one merit, in the 32 courses he took in the City and Guilds examinations.

Prior to joining the technical training program, Precious aspired to further his studies and build a career path in automation and instrumentation. His dreams came true when he was selected to participate in the Nestlé Technical Training program, out of over 600 applicants. Thanks to this experience, Precious is an employee of Nestlé Nigeria today.

Nestlé Nigeria’s 18-month intensive, Nestlé Technical Training Program was designed to help bridge the technical skills gap by equipping young people with the skills to contribute to the industrial acceleration needed to drive economic development in Nigeria.

Since its inception in 2011, the program equips participants with machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations, and automation skills, preparing them for the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification.

Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates Batch 3 Graduates From Her Abaji Technical Training Center

Left -Right: Ayodele Ayeokere, Factory Manager, Nestlé Abaji Factory, Fridah Muchina, Regional Head of HR, Nestlé Central and West Africa, Mallam Muhammed Bashir, Director, Human Resources Management, Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory representing the Honorable Minister of the FCT, Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini, MD/CEO, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Mr. Hamid Nagogo, Assistant Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion Department, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, representing the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Mr. Adewale Oyerinde, Director General, Nigerian Employers Consultative Association ( NECA).

Precious told Nestlé Management at the graduation ceremony, “The successful completion of the training program is a huge feat for all of us. This platform is an opportunity that we do not take for granted. We will make you proud”.

“I can confidently tell young people across the country that they should not give up hope, as their dreams and aspirations are attainable if they put in the required work and dedication to prepare themselves to access opportunities when they become available.”, he added.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the MD/CEO, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Wassim Elhusseini said, “At Nestlé, one of our focus areas is to contribute to the efforts to help young people develop the capabilities and skills they need to participate in growing our economy. The technical training program prepares youth to access economic
opportunities either through employment or the creation of their own enterprise with the
acquired skills.

This is important in view of the statistics showing that over 13.9 million youths are either unemployed, in unstable employment, or underemployed. I am very happy to announce to you today, that all graduates of this batch have been employed by Nestlé Nigeria! So, you see, this initiative is not only good for the individuals who participate and for their families and communities but also good for our company; a Win-Win-Win! We are indeed creating shared value.”

Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates Batch 3 Graduates From Her Abaji Technical Training Center

The graduating students.

Also speaking at the event, the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, represented by Mr Hamid Nagogo, Assistant Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion Department of the Ministry said, “The Ministry is delighted and proud to see vibrant youth who have gone through the 18-month training process to obtain the City and Guilds certification. We particularly commend Nestlé for this laudable initiative on youth empowerment. We trust that the company will continue to partner with the Government to provide more opportunities for skills development to support the acquisition of decent jobs by young people across the country”.

According to the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Bello, who was represented by Mallam Muhammed Bashir, Director, Human Resources Management, Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, “Technical knowledge and other hands-on skills are essential tools required for the growth and development of any nation. I commend Nestlé Nigeria for her efforts in empowering the youth through education and training as this will go a long way to create a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy”.

In his comments, Mr. Wale Oyerinde, Director General, Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) said, “NECA and ITF are proud to be collaborating with Nestlé for this skills development program. Celebrating the graduation of the 3rd batch is a major achievement and milestone in solving the challenge of the teeming youth population in the country – youth unemployment. Through this training program, Nestlé is not only filling the pipeline for experienced technicians required in the Industrial sector, but the company is also improving the capacity and ability of the young ones to support their families and communities, creating compounding socio-economic impact”.

Nestlé Nigeria currently operates three training centers in the country located at her Agbara and Flowergate factories, both in Ogun State and Abaji factory in the Federal Capital Territory. Over 180 students have benefitted from the program since its inception; 95% of them are directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria and 5% with other multinationals. Nestlé remains committed to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling youth as a sure path to a productive future.

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