Forty six students in tertiary institutions will never forget Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as they became the first the first set of beneficiaries of the National Scholarship Programme of her Renewed Hope Initiative on Saturday.
The students were awarded scholarship worth N1 million at an event used to kick off the scholarship scheme at the Banquet Hall of the presidential villa Abuja, Busola Kukoyi, media aide to the First Lady said in a statement.
According to her, the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme who were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT will also get a laptop each.
The statement indicated that the scholarship recipients were nominated by women societies, including National Council for Women Societies, and Defence Staff and Police Officers Wives Association DEPOWA.
Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Tinubu who is also National President of the Renewed Hope Initiative, congratulated the beneficiaries.
She noted that the scholarship scheme was part of efforts by RHI to ensure that no willing student is left behind with the aim of ensuring that no child is denied education regardless of the circumstances of her birth.
“With the National Scholarship Programme (NASP), we envision a Nigeria where every child , regardless of their circumstances, can access the best education available. It is not just about textbooks and classrooms, it is about igniting curiosity, speaking innovation and fostering a love of learning that will transcend generations..
She noted that National Scholarship Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative is a four year scholarship programme of One Million Naira per year and a laptop for each beneficiary with 46 students from across the states empowered to kick off the initiative.
While urging the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously as their GPA will be taken into consideration in subsequent years, the First Lady also encouraged them to take on vocational skills.
Also speaking at the event, RHI Director of Education, Prof Hafsat Ganduje noted that education as one of the five pillars of the initiative.
The event was attended by Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmood.
