By Stanley Onyekwere
In a significant boost to education in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Alumni Association, FCT Chapter, has awarded comprehensive scholarships to 28 indigent Senior Secondary School (SS3) students across the six Area Councils of the Territory.
The scholarship package is designed to remove financial barriers for high-achieving students, covering tuition fees, administrative levies, and registration costs for both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
Speaking during the ceremony yesterday, the Vice Chairperson of the FCT Branch, Mrs. Julia Davis, noted that the recipients were meticulously selected based on academic excellence.
“These 28 students who received the awards today were the ones who emerged at the top of their classes.
“We are particularly proud to include children with special needs among the recipients. It brings us great joy to see that despite their physical challenges, they are excelling and standing tall among their peers”, Davis stated.
Mrs. Davis further clarified that the initiative is not a one-off donation but a yearly flagship event for the association, aimed at fostering long-term academic success.
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, represented by the Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Hajiya Fatima Gambo Babba, lauded the association’s intervention.
He highlighted the harsh reality that many gifted students struggle to stay in school due to financial constraints.
According to him: “Many students find it difficult to pay their fees, and this gesture will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of their parents.”
He also issued a call to action, urging other non-governmental organizations and wealthy individuals to replicate the UNILAG Alumni’s model to help bridge the educational gap.
Not left out, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, Emmanuel Emele, emphasized that the association is currently prioritizing SS3 students to ensure they complete their secondary education and transition to the tertiary level without delay.
Now in its third consecutive year, the scholarship program remains a cornerstone of the UNILAG Alumni Association’s commitment to social responsibility and community development in the FCT.
