A statement by the firm said grants aimed to support the
academic pursuit of the beneficiaries to fast-track learning and attainment of
excellence among students in tertiary institutions targeting a long-term impact
on the national productivity level.
It read, “The support framework is awarded to the
best-qualified applicants using a merit-based selection process that strictly
adheres to the rules of fairness, transparency, fair play, and independent
audit, from the application, shortlisting, all through to the finalists’
selection stages. It is open to all the courses of study offered in Nigeria’s
Federal and State-owned tertiary institutions.”
According to the statement, the first beneficiaries of the
grants are 15 students from various departments of the University of
Lagos. The list of beneficiaries
includes Uvere Franca and Ihejiamatu Anthony of the Department of Chemical
Engineering; Oyibo Ufedo-Ojo and Olaloko Olamide of the Department of Civil
Engineering; Bamigbose Joseph and Adeniran Ridwanullah of the Department of
Mechanical Engineering and Akinyade Simisola and Ugoegbulem David of the
Department of Education Foundation amongst others.
Commenting on the educational grants presentation, the
Country Head of Olam Agri in Nigeria, Ashish Pande, said, “The educational
grants are a key part of the Seeds for the Future Initiative’s target of
enabling wider education and skills development for young people amongst
others. Launched in 2022, the initiative serves as our social sustainability
investment vehicle with five levers, namely, supporting farms and farmers,
enabling wider education and skill development for young people, empowering
impoverished women, promoting health and nutrition across the country, and
reducing carbon emissions in our business operations,” he added.
The Vice President of Commercial, Olam Agri, Bolaji
Anifowoshe, admonished the students to make the best use of the grants.
He said, “Olam Agri is excited to be a part of your success
journey. What you do with the grants will have a direct impact on your lives.
Keep ensuring you do whatever you need to do to be the best irrespective of the
resources available to you always.”
A student, Uvere Franca said, “I have heard about people
receiving academic support. This is my first time receiving an educational
grant. I am happy for this. The grant will help me purchase the resources and
tools that will aid my learning as well as support my tuition. I want to say a
big ‘thank you’ to Olam Agri.”