RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE (RHI) PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION YIELD MORE SCHOLARSHIPS
….As First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Unveils 200 Scholarship Recipients
The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), in partnership with various national and international organizations, has continued to increase access to quality education for Nigerian youth. This progress was highlighted during the unveiling of 200 beneficiaries of the AUDA-NEPAD/African School of Economics/RHI Scholarships, an event spearheaded by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja, saw the First Lady reiterating the administration’s commitment to prioritizing education, as demonstrated by various policies and programs implemented in the sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
“The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has made significant strides in the education sector. The recent zero-interest Student Loans scheme, along with bursary and scholarship awards to students and various education infrastructure development projects, are all aimed at providing unhindered access to education for every Nigerian student,” she said.
“Last year, the Renewed Hope Initiative, under its National Scholarship Programme (RHI-NASP), awarded scholarships worth N1,000,000 per annum for four years, along with brand new laptops, to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. This assistance covers tuition fees, books, and other educational expenses. The second tranche of payments for the beneficiaries is due in September 2024.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu emphasized her consistent advocacy for the education and empowerment of the Nigerian girl-child, who has often been culturally and traditionally excluded from receiving comprehensive formal education, more so than her male counterparts. This has driven the need for the establishment of Alternative High Schools for Girls across the country.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, corroborated her statements, describing the First Lady as an education champion. “Your Excellency, your commitment and drive in the education sector are highly appreciated, and as a Ministry, we are supporting this initiative with an additional 4,000 bursary grants for tertiary education students in the country,” he stated.
In her remarks, the CEO of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, highlighted that the beneficiaries are set to receive quality education both within and outside Nigeria. The Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, also expressed her country’s readiness to explore more partnerships with the Renewed Hope Initiative in the area of education.
A total of 200 students in various fields will commence their academic careers at the African School of Economics, an affiliate of Princeton University, USA, under the scholarship program.
