Dangote refinery offers 460 students scholarships

460 students from its host villages in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, who attend secondary schools and tertiary institutions have received scholarships from Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertilizer Limited.

The scholarship, which is a component of their corporate social responsibility, was given to 17 students in university institutions and 443 kids in secondary schools.

According to a statement from the companies, the scholarship has developed into an annual occasion designed to support the people’s scholastic progress and place them appropriately in the overall scheme of things in Lagos and Nigeria.

The scholarship was presented by the Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development, Dangote Group, Mr Devakumar Edwin, who described education as the passport to the future, adding that an investment in knowledge yields the greatest dividends for mankind.

Edwin described the scholarship as part of the company’s education intervention initiative for indigenous students of host communities impacted by its businesses.

He said, “In 2019, we executed a pilot of the scholarship programme where 51 secondary school students from our 15 host communities here in Ibeju Lekki were awarded. However, we could not hold the second edition in the year 2020 due to the incidence of COVID-19 and its associated effects not only on businesses but on every household.

“In 2021, 118 secondary school students and 19 tertiary institution students from our host communities were awarded the scholarship award and after a rigorous screening process this year, 443 secondary school students and 17 tertiary institution students have qualified for the scholarship award.”

He congratulated the beneficiaries and enjoined them to continue to work hard at their studies, strive to achieve excellence in all that they do, and never stop giving their best.

“Your achievements are a testament to your determination, perseverance, and commitment to excellence, and we are honoured to celebrate your success with you today,” he added.

Edwin further exhorted the recipients to seize the moment and pursue excellence at all times.

The Onilekki of Lekki Land, Oba Liasim Ogunbekun, the traditional monarch of Lekki, also spoke at the ceremony and thanked Dangote Group for the scholarship, which he called a gift to the locals.