Fortune Club International grants Nigerian students University scholarship
.Says education sector is important to economic development
By Silas Onuoha
Members of Fortune Club International in a group photograph with the students in Lagos:
It was a moment of joy and profound enthusiasm, as Fortune Club International put a smile on the faces of two young Nigerian students, who just got admission to study Pharmacy and Bio-chemistry in University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, by granting them full scholarship to cover their education.
The students, who came all the way from Uyo to Lagos, were presented with their cheques to cover their academics from 100Level up to graduation, in a simple ceremony, organised by the Club at Surulere, Lagos.
Daily Business Update learnt that the two students came top in the scholarship screening exercise in which over 101 applications were received from schools in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and other States in Nigeria, within 30 days of advertisement.
Speaking, the President of Fortune Club International, Fortune Eyo Inuekin, who presented cheques to the beneficiaries, said the Scholarship programme is part of the corporate social responsibility of the Club to Nigerian society.
Fortune Inuekin also described the scholarship project as an initiative by the Club to assist indigent students in getting good education and also supporting government in building the education system in Nigeria.
He said, “It is better to build human beings than to build so many houses. This is not the first time Fortune Club International is giving scholarship to Nigerian Students. Over four years ago, the Club granted scholarship to two students from their first year till graduation from the University. Today, we are happy to inform you that those students recorded outstanding performance in their academics. The first student, a girl graduated with ‘First Class’ while the second person graduated with ‘Second Class Upper’
“This shows that we can help the less privileged in our country to acquire good education for their future development and that of the society. Therefore, we are calling on the Federal, as well as sub-national governments, corporate organisations, private entrepreneurs and all well-meaning individuals to support the education system for optimum productivity”.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Scholarship Committee, Fortune Club International, Fortune Godwin Akadu, explained that they received so many applications from schools across the country when the advertisement was placed.
He added, “We advertised for 30 days and even when entry closed more applications were still coming showing the education need in Nigeria. The Scholarship Committee did a very transparent screening exercise. 10 students were short-listed and after thorough evaluation we got the best two, as you can see here. The selection process was based strictly on merit and highly transparent, as some of us are meeting the beneficiaries for the first time today.”
On how they source for funds for the scholarship project, which requires a lot of money, he said, “We get money through voluntary donations from members of the Club. We also embark on fund raising to ensure the scholarship programme is sustained.
“Our objectives are to help indigent students and to contribute meaningfully to the education system in our country. This sector is very important and must be given adequate attention for our economy to achieve tangible growth and development”.
The two beneficiaries of the scholarship are Emmanuel Umoh admitted to study Pharmacy and Phillips Monday Effiong, who is going for Bio-Chemistry, in University of Uyo.
From left: The Chairman, Project Committee of Fortune Club International, Fortune Okokon Ulo, immediate past President of the Club, Fortune Ekanem Akan, the two beneficiaries of the scholarship in the middle, the President, Fortune Eyo Inuekin and Fortune Godwin Akadu, during presentation of the cheques in Lagos:
