Olushola Omogbehin
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed her commitment to education and youth empowerment across Nigeria through the disbursement of N47 million and laptops to 47 beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) scholarship scheme.
The event which took place in Abuja on Tuesday with beneficiaries drawn across different tertiary institutions nationwide gave each beneficiary N1 million and a brand-new laptop to support their studies.
Also drawn across various departments such as medicine, law, engineering, education, sciences and the humanities, include five beneficiaries in 400 level, 39 in 300 level, two in 200 level, and one in ND II.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu emphasised that the scholarship was driven by a commitment to serving humanity, not politics.
“This is not about politics; it is about people’s lives. Just as I have done in the past, I ask you, what will you also add to the table? You can grow and explore opportunities that will not hinder your education,” she said.
The First Lady appealed the students to maximise the opportunity, assuring them of her determination to sustain the initiative.
“We have given you two years of grace, and some of you have two more years to complete your studies. We pray for continuity so that the programme can continue,” she added.
Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, praised the initiative as a complement to government’s education programmes, highlighting the administration’s broader support for students.
“In the last two years, the President has approved 12,434 bursary awards worth N10 billion in priority sectors like medicine and education, while N4 billion in scholarships has gone to 8,535 students,” he said.
He also underscored the impact of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, which has already supported over 500,000 students with disbursements of about N100 billion.
“You don’t pay back until after graduation, NYSC, and employment and even then, repayment is capped at 10 per cent of your salary,” he explained.
Congratulating the beneficiaries, Chioma Uzodinmma, wife of the Imo State Governor and RHI National Secretary, said each beneficiary met the eligibility benchmark of a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Other dignitaries present at the event are: the wife of the Vice President and RHI National Vice Chairman, Hajia Nana Shettima; wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila; and the wife of the Kwara State Governor, chairperson of the governors’ wives forum.
