Education
Dangote 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.
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.
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
ASR Africa Flag-Off Construction Of N1Billion Career Devt, Counselling, Renewable Natural Resources Centre At University Of Ibadan
Rashidat Okunlade Writes
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has commenced the construction of a 2,000 square meters Career and Renewable Natural Resources Center at the University of Ibadan.
The center will provide counseling and career support to students of the university and explore the potential of cleaner energy solutions for the institution. This comes barely three days after the groundbreaking of a Student Affairs Center comprising a sports center, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) hub, administrative offices, and a 1,000-student capacity amphitheater at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State by ASR Africa.
Both projects, drawing from the N1 billion grant to the University, are in fulfillment of the tertiary infrastructure grant awarded to the six universities in 2021 as part of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme. The grant was drawn from ASR Africa’s US$100 million Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Other universities that benefitted from the grant were the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the University of Ilorin, the University of Benin, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Ibadan, Oyo state, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa thanked the university management for their cooperation on the project implementation. He described the project as “life-changing” as it will address diverse mental health issues amongst students, nurture students in their career path and provide cleaner energy solutions for the university’s use.
Left-Right: Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic); Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi (University Librarian – behind); Prof. Kayode Adebowale (Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan); Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the construction flag-off ceremony at the University Campus on Friday, July 28, 2023.
Left-Right: Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic); Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi (University Librarian – behind); Prof. Kayode Adebowale (Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan); Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the construction flag-off ceremony at the University Campus on Friday, July 28, 2023.
Left-Right: Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic); Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi (University Librarian – behind); Prof. Kayode Adebowale (Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan); Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the construction flag-off ceremony at the University Campus on Friday, July 28, 2023.
Furthermore, Dr. Ubon said the project affirms Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and Chairman of ASR Africa’s commitment to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and Africa at large. He added that the career center is a project that would further boost the morale of the students of the University of Ibadan to compete academically with their peers outside the country.
“I want to on behalf of Abdul Samad Rabiu thank the university management for the cooperation and partnership they have shown us so far. I want to assure you of growing this partnership and looking forward to better things to come”. Dr. Ubon said.
In his remark, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the university’s Vice Chancellor, thanked Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and Chairman of ASR Africa for making the project a reality. Prof. Kayode said the project is of great importance to the university, as it will address students’ needs for counseling and career mentorship and pave the way for research on alternative energy. He assured the ASR Africa team of the management’s support to ensure the speedy completion of the project.
Education
ASR Africa Begins Construction Of Ultra-Modern Student Center At Nnamdi Azikiwe University With A Groundbreaking Ceremony
Rashidat Okunlade Writes
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has kicked off the construction of an ultra-modern Student Affairs Center at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State.
The center will house a sports center, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) hub, administrative offices, and a 1,000-student capacity amphitheater.
This is in fulfillment of the N1billion tertiary infrastructure grant awarded to the University in 2021 as part of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme. The grant was drawn from ASR Africa’s $100million Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Other universities that benefitted from the grant were the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the University of Ilorin, the University of Benin, and the University of Ibadan.
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education, and Social Development within Africa.
Left: Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Dr. Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, ASR Africa during the groundbreaking for the construction of ASR Student Centre within the university campus on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Awka, Anambra State.
Left-Right: Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), and Dr. Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, ASR Africa unveiling the foundation laying plaque during the groundbreaking for the construction of ASR Student Centre within the university campus on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Awka, Anambra State.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Awka, Anambra State, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, applauded the university for the student-friendly project and reiterated that Abdul Samad Rabiu, the founder and Chairman of ASR Africa is committed to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system. Accompanied by other team members, Dr. Ubon added that the institution must focus on the sustainability of the project, and ensure it serves the purpose for which it was designed.
Left-Right: Nakama Keri (Multilateral Coordination Specialist, ASR Africa), Prof. Charles Esimone (Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University – UNIZIK) and Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the groundbreaking for the construction of ASR Student Centre within the university’s campus on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Awka, Anambra State.
According to Dr. Ubon, “I want to commend the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, and the entire selection team for this student-friendly project. This is in line with the guidelines of ASR Africa and the vision of Abdul Samad Rabiu, the founder and Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa for the educational sector in Nigeria. It is a unique project and we hope the students will take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Students’ Center”
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the university Prof. Charles Esimone FAS, commended ASR Africa for keeping to their promise. He emphasized that the university will work judiciously with the contractor to deliver the project within the set time.
The edifice, which will be named after the Chairman of ASR Africa upon completion, is devoted to student development, socialization, recreation, and enhanced academic access. Beyond the donation, ASR Africa is providing technical support for some tertiary institutions in the areas of visibility and expanding academic curricula.
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