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By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt
Ten Nigerian scholars on Monday received the 2022 Post-graduate scholarships award to further their studies in two prestigious universities in the United Kingdom, namely the University of Aberdeen and Cranfield University, Scotland.
The awardees consist of seven males and 3 females who emerged the most successful from “a rigorous screening in which 921 candidates from across the federation participated.”
The Post Graduate Scholarships Scheme is one of the three scholarship schemes, namely – Post Primary, Undergraduate and Post Graduate, run by the Liquefied Natural Gas giant the Nigeria LNG, and is worth USD67, 500 each.
Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony in Port Harcourt, Andy Odeh, NLNG’s general manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development said the company established the scholarships “to encourage academic excellence and support human capital development in its immediate areas of operations and Nigeria in general.”
According to Odeh, NLNG’s “first stride was in 1998 when we inaugurated our Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (UGSS). Other scholarship schemes came on board at different times to deepen our company’s contribution to the growth of education and human capital development in the country.
“The Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme was launched in October 2012 to support deserving Nigerians in acquiring post graduate education in leading universities in the United Kingdom. The scheme has financial value of USD67, 500 per awardee per programme, which covers tuition, accommodation, thesis project and living expenses,” Odeh said.
He explained that the scheme, which targets growing a pool of high potential Nigerian graduates and professionals with competitive advantage, offers the following areas of study: Environmental studies, Engineering, Management, Information Technology, Geosciences, Renewable Energy, Law and Medicine. So far, 92 persons have benefited from the scheme, Odeh said.
He advised the awardees: “You are about to go through one of the best universities in the world and will, no doubt, acquire not just world class knowledge in your chosen field and vocation but also life-long skills and experiences that will elevate you to become international citizens. I trust that you will not play with this opportunity.
Please remember that you have a commitment to return to Nigeria on graduation to contribute meaningfully to the development of your country. Your country needs you. Your states, local government areas, communities and families need you”.
Nigeria LNG Limited, he said, is a globally competitive LNG company committed to fulfilling its objective of “helping to build a better Nigeria,” adding that the company strives “to constantly improve our local communities, build local businesses, and the country at large, through human capital development.”
He further encouraged them to mirror the company’s core values of safety, integrity, team work, respect, excellence and caring; to internalize them as they would surely take them a long way.
“Consider safety in every action and decision you take; make integrity your watchword and the sky will be your limit; understand the value of teamwork and your best will grow with the best of others; respect earns you respect and opens doors ahead of you; aim for excellence to rule your world. All these values combined will make you achieve your dream, and always remember to give a helping hand. Care for those that time and circumstance will bring to your doorstep from the wealth of your endowments. Above all, aim to join hands in building a better Nigeria”, Odeh said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dr Vivian Magboh thanked Nigeria LNG for giving them the opportunity to participate in the 2022 overseas post graduate scholarship programme.
The 28 year old Dr Magboh expressed appreciation to the company for its “continued sponsorship of post graduate scheme since 2012 and encouragement to Nigerian education”.
She recounted how the process was very competitive, and thanked God that of 921 persons who applied for the programme, she was among the 10 selected.
She assured that the awardees will make NLNG and Nigeria proud at the conclusion of their programme.