NHEF Scholars Program (Class of 2019) in a group picture.
On Monday, July 8th, 2019, The Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) welcomed its largest cohort for the 4th Annual NHEF Scholars Program. A total number of fifty (50) students from the six Partner Universities of the Foundation – Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Port Harcourt participated in an intensive career development training and Orientation Program which lasted for four (4) days in Lagos, Nigeria.
Through a rigorous selection process, the NHEF Scholars Program has continued to identify academically talented and leadership-oriented undergraduate students in their penultimate year from NHEF Partner Universities and assist them in career development. Within 4 years of launching the program, the NHEF has provided intensive career and skills training, internships and employment support to nearly 200 Scholars and is building a community of well-educated young Nigerians assuming positions of responsibility and leadership in Nigeria and across the globe.
The 2019 NHEF Scholars Program was a lifetime experience for the Scholars, as they were exposed to diverse career development courses and in-demand skills in the business space which are necessary for the successful transition into the workforce.
The Orientation Program ended with a closing dinner on Thursday, July 11th, 2019, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos. The dinner was also a celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Foundation. The event featured notable personalities across industries including Mrs. Ibukun Awosika – the Chairperson, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Mr. Oghogho Akpata – the Managing Partner of Templars Law Firm and Mr. Wale Edun – former Commissioner of Finance, Lagos State who also gave some remarks at the event. Mrs. Ibukun Awosika offered the incoming class words of encouragement and implored the Scholars to take responsibility for their lives, in order to make the best out of every opportunity, keeping in mind that the end of a cause justifies the means. The two other speakers likewise encouraged the Scholars to aspire for more greatness, and they should never be intimidated to take their rightful positions in life – “the seat of greatness” meant for them.
The Chairman of the NHEF Mr. Wale Adeosun rounded up the program with words of appreciation for invited guests, orientation facilitators and partner firms. He also encouraged the Scholars with the 5p’s principles of his life – Passion, Preparation, Perseverance, People, and Prayer. He later was joined by the other Board Members of the Foundation to make the biggest announcement of the night – a whooping Scholarship for all the 50 Scholars which covers their tuition fee for next year.
In the words of one of the Scholars, “the price for inspiration is priceless”, hence it is not a gainsaying that the NHEF has continued to inspire ordinary Nigerian youths to aspire for greatness and light up the possibility of achieving their goals and dreams.
Click here to view the event pictures.