As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, 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 programmes.
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
programme 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 programme 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 programme, 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 privileged who are interested in furthering their education achieve their
dreams in spite of financial challenges.
“The programme is simply going to positively affect the
development of Ibeju-Lekki in 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 in 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.
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