Lagos Students Get Agbami Scholarship

Lagos, Oct 28, 2009 (This Day/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- STO | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- No fewer than 78 Medical and Engineering students of Lagos State, studying in various higher institutions in the state have been awarded the Agbami Medical and Engineering Professional Scholarship, ranging from N100,000 to N200,000.

The scholarship was a joint effort of the Agbami partners, comprising Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited- a Chevron company and operator of the Agbami field; Famfa Oil Limited; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Statoil Nigeria Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited (Petrobras).

Awarded to students in five states: Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos Ondo, Rivers the scholarship is a merit-based scheme targeted at students of Medicine, Nursing, Laboratory Sciences and Engineering in relevant higher institutions.

Speaking at the presentation of cheques to Lagos State beneficiaries at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre, Managing Director of Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, Mr. Andrew Fawthrop said the partners were committed to providing 500 students of Medicine/Dentistry with N200,000 annually, while 750 students of Nursing, 750 students of Laboratory Science and 750 students of Engineering would each receive N100,000 annually.

Fawthrop, who was represented by a Director at the company, Mr. Ken Sample, said the sum of N118 million was earmarked for 860 beneficiaries in the state during the first session and that the figures would increase significantly from next year as awareness of and participation by students increase.

According to him, the scholarship was open to students in first or second year. Those in first year must have a total score of 240 and above in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB's) tertiary institutions' matriculation examination, while those in second year must sustain a mandatory 3.0 Grade Point Average or an equivalent of 60 percent scores in their respective annual grading systems to remain in the scholarship, which he said was tenable throughout the duration of their current studies.

He charged the awardees to make the best of the opportunity "by graduating at the top of your various professions and entering into the service of this great nation as upright and highly competent professionals who would make Nigeria proud at all times."

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola commended the partners for their genuine concern and commitment towards human capital development in the state, adding that no investment was more rewarding than investment in the future.

Fashola, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sarah Sosan said the gesture came at the right time and would boost the state government's efforts towards revitalising the education sector. He said it would also reduce parents' burden of funding the education of their wards, particularly in this period of global economic crisis.

He expressed disappointment that only 90 students applied for the scholarship, while 78 were considered, out of the 800 spaces that were allocated to the state, adding that he had instructed the relevant authorities in the state to create more awareness so that the entire slot would be taken next year.

While urging the beneficiaries to work hard and maintain the standard necessary to continue being beneficiaries, Fashola called on other corporate organisations to emulate the Agbami partners and "give back to the society through initiatives like this."

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