…Restates commitment to promoting youth education in host communities
Nestlé Nigeria PLC, on Tuesday, announced the second phase of her community scholarship scheme for youths of her host communities. The scholarship scheme was established to enable deserving students of host communities attain their educational and personal aspirations through financial sponsorship.
The scheme which was launched in 2020 for host communities of the company’s factories located at Sagamu Interchange, Ogun State and Abaji, Federal Capital Territory, has been extended to include the host community of Nestlé ’s third factory in Agbara, Ogun State; which is the company’s largest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The scheme which is in two categories – Senior Secondary and Tertiary – will grant funds to cover tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books and other expenses for the duration of beneficiaries’ education in the respective categories.
This program is aligned to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
Education is key to prosperity as it opens a world of opportunities; however, several factors including inadequate infrastructure, lack of opportunities, accessibility and affordability are top issues limiting access to quality education in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In this regard, the Nestlé Community Scholarship Scheme seeks to help bridge the gap by providing financial support to help youths complete their science and technology studies in the secondary and tertiary categories.
Speaking at the event to introduce Nestlé Scholarship scheme in Agbara, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka said, “In a nation with a high youth population like ours, it is clear that communities cannot thrive if they fail to offer a future for younger generations. Nestlé Community Scholarship Scheme aims to contribute towards creating a future for youth by preparing them to participate in industry. The focus on science and technology is deliberate to build much needed local capacity.”
“We are therefore pleased to announce the extension of the scheme to deserving youths in Agbara. The scholarship awards cover the cost of tuition, accommodation, uniforms and books for the duration of beneficiaries’ studies so long as they attain the minimum required academic performance each year.”
In his opening remarks, Nestlé Agbara Factory manager, Mr. Ibukun-Olu Ipinmoye encouraged the beneficiaries to leverage the scholarship to ensure the achieve their dreams. He also urged the parents to give equal opportunities to male and female children, noting that over 75 percent of the beneficiaries were female.
Nestlé Nigeria Community Scholarship Scheme
The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, who was represented by the Zonal Education Officer, Ado-Odo Ota, Mr. Olugbenga Kikisuhu, commended Nestlé for the initiative. He said, “A modest history is being recorded here today as Nestlé Nigeria PLC has taken a giant step by extending its love and generosity to better the lots of under- privileged and deserving indigenous students of Agbara community. One of the most important scholarship benefits to our society is that it gives us engineers, doctors, academics, lawyers and scientists from backgrounds that ordinarily could not have met up with the financial burdens of education”.
On his part, the Alagbara of Agbara Kingdom, HRM Oba (Barr.) Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, Olute III said, “This scholarship scheme is a laudable initiative by Nestlé Nigeria PLC. I am delighted to be part of this event promoting the education and empowerment of youths in Agbara. The company has positively impacted the community over the years and we have enjoyed a good relationship”.
Only last year, Nestlé Nigeria donated a fully renovated class room block to Salvation Army Nursery and Primary School, Agbara. The organisation has also created job opportunities for qualified youths of the community.
Beneficiaries of the scheme were selected for a pool of candidates from schools in Agbara. However, the successful students in the secondary category were from Male Comprehensive High School, Agbara Grammar School and Agbara Community High School.
One of the beneficiaries of the scholarship in the tertiary category, Rereloluwa Obafemi-Moses, a Medical Student of the University of Lagos, expressed her delight at being selected as one of the beneficiaries of the scheme. She said that the award means a lot to her as it will further motivate increased commitment to her academics. She also appreciated Nestlé Nigeria for its investment in young Nigerians.
The event had stakeholders including community leaders, youth leaders, principals of beneficiary secondary schools, parents and education officials in attendance.
A total of 109 students drawn from the company’s communities around Owode-Egba, Sagamu, Abaji and Agbara currently benefit from the scheme. They were selected based on their academic performance and rigorous verification processes.
The company continues to make a meaningful difference in her host communities by creating initiatives to help youth unlock their potentials. Through the scholarship scheme, Nestlé continues to help empower the next generation of science and technology professionals. This is another of the many ways through which the company Creates Shared Value to help build thriving communities.
