Fides Media Living the Faith
By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPC), Mr Bayo Ojulari, has described the Cradle – to -Career scholarship award as an all-inclusive programme, noting that the programme provided opportunities and a strong foundation for brilliant pupils in public primary schools across Nigeria to attend reputable secondary schools in the country.
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , in collaboration with SNEPC awarded scholarships to 15 students primary school pupils from Southeast three from each state.
The event which took place at Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State had people from all walks of life in attendance.
Speaking about the scholarship, Mr. Ojusri disclosed that the 2018 National Cradle – to – Career Scholarship Awards were sponsored by both companies (NNPC/SNEPC)
He said the programme would contribute positively towards the actualisation of the UNESCO ‘Education for All ’ goal .
His words, ‘We do this because to us in SNEPC, education is key to national development. It is the answer to today ’ s challenges and an anchor for a better and brighter future . The scholarship covers tuition , health insurance and boarding for the six years of secondary school . The 2018 /2019 scholars are the fourth set of beneficiaries, bringing the total number of recipients since the inception of the programme to 375 .
‘In the four years of the programme , there has been commendable feedback from stakeholders with proof points on the performance of the children leading their classes and achieving huge academic feats . This year , three of our scholars will be joining the Olympiad class of one of the partner schools , a special class designed to prepare high – performing students for national and international competitions . This is an excellent accomplishment and I expect the other scholars to follow in similar stead,’ he said.
Ojulari said the successful candidates emerged from a competitive process , starting with the National Examination Council providing the list of best – performing students from public primary schools across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory from the National Common Entrance Examination .
He added that following the selection , the scholars were subjected to a written test by the partner schools from where the best three candidates from each state were selected.
He said the beneficiaries were enrolled in seven schools , namely, Premiere Academy, Abuja ; Nigerian Tulip International College , Kaduna ; LeadForte Gate International Secondary School , Awoyaya – Lagos ; Top Faith International School , Uyo, Akwa Ibom ; Edgewood College , Lekki -Lagos ; Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School , Idimu – Lagos and Grundtvig International Secondary School , Oba, Onitsha.
While describing the programme as a lifetime opportunity , he enjoined the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity to grow to become a pride in themselves , family, community, and society at large .