The Federal Scholarship Board, a Department in the Federal Ministry of Education, has granted scholarship worth two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250, 000.00) each per session to eighteen (18) undergraduate students of the Prince Abubakar Audu University (formerly Kogi State University), Anyigba.

While presenting the letters of the scholarship award to the University, the representative of the Scholarship Board, Dr. Abdulkareem Gaminana, said the students secured the scholarship after passing the prescribed Computer Based Test organized by the Board.

He stressed that the qualification for the annual scholarship entry is a minimum CGPA of 4.00, adding that the beneficiaries would continue to enjoy the scheme throughout the period of their studies.

He further explained that the Board would be doing continuous verification of the student status of the beneficiaries on yearly basis before the benefit for each session could be released.

Dr. Gaminana also added that the scholarship is opened to postgraduate students, with Masters students entitled to three hundred thousand naira (N300, 000.00) and PhD students, three hundred and eighty thousand naira (N380,000.00) per session for a maximum of two sessions.

While presenting the scholarship letters to the beneficiaries, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Dr Daniel Atidoga, congratulated the students for doing the University proud, stressing that the award was a reflection of their diligence and commitment to studies.

She urged the beneficiaries to continue to do the University proud by showing excellent commitment to their studies, adding that the University would continue to provide enabling environment for students to excel.

She urged the students to use the scholarship for the purpose it was meant for, as it would go a long way in reducing the burden on their parents.

The Vice-Chancellor also urged other students in the University to work hard to project the image of the institution positively through exhibition of positive competitive spirit on both national and international scenes.

Professor Tenuche also expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Education for providing the scholarship opportunity and stressed the determination of the University to continue to nurture young talents who do the nation proud.

She also appreciated the Kogi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, for the provision of enabling environment for the sustenance of the University.

In their response shortly after receiving their offer of award, the students who are drawn from across departments and faculties in the University, thanked the Federal Scholarship Board for offering them the opportunity and promised to continue work hard and do the University and their parents proud.

They also thanked the leadership of the University for providing them with facilities and other resources that have assisted greatly in advancing their studies.

Football as a sport is an important tool to bring people together and also educate boys about true masculinity, violence prevention and the rights of women. That’s why NWFL Championship side, Naija Ratels Football Club took out time to play a novelty match against a team assembled by it’s President, Barrister Paul Edeh on the 6th of February 2021 at the Area 3 Football pitch, Abuja.

A minute of silence was held before the start of the match in memory of victims of Gender-based violence across the world.

The game which featured some notable individuals was filled with fun and excitement, as both teams united to end violence against women. The Naija Ratels Ladies scored first through Adanna Nwachukwu before Kenny Jubril equalised late on for the Barrister Paul Edeh side to make it 1-1.

“Sports is a vital tool for building peace and understanding across nations and can also be a powerful instrument to oppose violence against the girl child, helping promote gender equality and also children’s right”, said Naija Ratels President, Barrister Paul Edeh.

“I passionately believe in the power of sport. The values that I have as a man, leader, husband and father must be used to help women who are being abused and to focus our attention on preventing abuse from happening by educating boys about true masculinity, violence prevention and rights of women.

The United Nations SDG Peace Ambassador further stated that he will be offering scholarships to all his players to the University level, noting that those who failed WAEC and NECO will retake it, while UTME forms will be brought for those with required credits.

“We live in a society where too much attention has been taken away from the girl child. We live in a society where the girl child appears to be abandoned and neglected. We live in a society where the emphasis on the social vices associated with what we do against the girl child isn’t highlighted.

“So today, I came together with my friends to be able to highlight a very topical theme which has to do with Gender based violence, we have come here to say no to gender-based violence, that the girl child need to be given opportunity to express themselves in a society that belongs to them as well.

“When we forayed into the game of football, investing in the game of football, we decided we aren’t going to do it business as usual, we knew the education of these children was very key, hence we decided to give all of them scholarships and help them realise their dreams, also we diversified into farming and other business to keep funding these girls who have left their homes to come play for Naija Ratels. Their welfare is well catered for and that’s very important for us.” He concluded.

A lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Nicholas Elechi lauded the initiative and tasked the Federal Government, NFF and other notable Stakeholders to give more support to Bar. Paul Edeh in the project.

“We are marking an end to violence against women in the society with this event. It’s amazing what Barrister Paul Edeh is doing. A single individual doing what so many Nigerians cannot do. He has given scholarships to over forty girls which will enable them to get the best of education. It’s really amazing

“He is a very good example of what it means to be a great Nigerian. Wilson Churchill once said: ‘ If every Englishman can defend his family, the whole of England will be defended.”

“I urge the Nigerian Government, NFF and other key stakeholders to support him in this course. I am really impressed.”

Also, Ex-International and Chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens, Abdul Sule, who was one of the participants, thanked the convener, Barrister Paul Edeh for giving support and recognition to the girlchild, noting that he will always be available for anything that has to do with Gender-based violence.

The one-day event had notable individuals present, such as former Super Eagles striker Abdul Sule, legendary Goalkeeper John Gaadi, Barrister Nicholas Elechi, Future Eagles Manager, Usman Ilerika, Nigeria U-17 women football team manager, Bankole Oloowokere, Chairman Nigeria Coaches Association, FCT, Godwin Bamigboye, Special Assistant to the Minister for State, FCT, Ndaliman Babajirgi, Comrade Azikwe, Top Sports Journalists, Udeme George, Grace John and many others.

An NGO, Igala Education Foundation (IEF), has donated N13 million to 26 First Class graduates of Igala extraction from various higher institutions across Nigeria.

Speaking at the Cheques’ presentation ceremony on Tuesday in Lokoja, the Kogi Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, congratulated the awardees for being lucky to be recognised for the gesture.

Onoja, who influenced the donation in collaboration with his friends and associates, said the donation would go a long way to support the graduating awardees.

He extolled the founder of the foundation, late Prof. Francis Idachaba, for initiating the scholarship programme in year 2000, saying it was a right choice that had been yielding tangible results since then.

”In life, you need to sow seed to reap harvest that generations will benefit from.

“I urge us all to continue to sow good seed, because nature have a way of paying us back; there is power in seed sowing,” Onoja said.

The deputy governor, who is also a member, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the foundation, commended the awardees for their commitment to have graduated with First class, saying it was not easy.

”When you see such people with First Class Degree, we need to encourage them so that others coming behind can also be encouraged to try their best.

”I want to believe that some of you will be global players in your different fields. I encourage you to pursue your dreams,” he advised.

Onoja urged the awardees not look at the amount, but to utilise it wisely and make the foundation and people of Igala Kingdom proud.

He promised, on behalf of all the donors, to continue to improve on the scholarship so that more people would benefit and build a good legacy.

”Congratulations once again on behalf of his Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, who is also a donor.

“The exercise is a proof of unity across the different tribes of Kogi,” Onoja said.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the foundation, Prof. Joseph Omada, said that the group had over the years been given scholarship to best students at basic, secondary and tertiary levels.

Omada said the scholarship, which used to be N70, 000 per awardee, was raised to N500, 000 by the deputy governor during the Igala Education Summit held in 2019.

He, therefore, commended the deputy governor for fulfilling his promise and for influencing other donors to ensure that the needed fund was raised for the scholarship.

”This is not politics; it is encouraging the students of Igala to be serious with their academics and come out with good grades,” he said.

Also, Mr Wemi Jones, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, lauded the foundation for the gesture, saying it worth emulation.

Jones urged the awardees to utilise the opportunity and be a good ambassador of the Igala Kingdom and the state at large.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Mr Dominic Iko-Ojo, thanked the foundation, the deputy governor and all other donors for encouraging and motivating them through the scholarship. (NAN)