By Dayo Adesulu &  Kelechukwu Iruoma

Since the inception of the Agbami scholarship scheme in 2009, over 100 beneficiaries from various Nigerian universities have graduated with First Class Honours or its equivalents. The recent breakthroughs were made in University of Port Harcourt, Uniport,  where three Agbami Scholarship beneficiaries made First Class Honours, attributing the achievement to the scholarship programme, which they claim was a motivating factor towards their success.

Agbami scholarship beneficiaries during their graduation at the University of Ibadan.

The  Agbami Medical and Engineering Professionals Scholarship Programme  (AMEPS)  instituted by Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, a chevron company and its co-venturers in the Agbami fields which include:

Famfa Oil Limited; Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; Statoil Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited, has been an avenue  and platformwhere the standard of education across the country is being raised.

Speaking to  Vanguard Learning  at the Convocation Ceremony, an Agbami beneficiary, Tunji Fadoyeni who graduated from the Department of Gas Engineering with a total GPA of 4.51 revealed: “Agbami scholarship motivated me in reading. When you get something like that, there is this motivation you get from it, that was what  sustained  me till I graduated.

Agbami scholarship is one of the reasons why I am coming out with first class today. The scholarship gave me the motivation and encouragement to do more academically.” Ugochukwu Samson, who graduated with a total GPA of 4.50  from the Department of Petroleum Engineering, stated that the scholarship improved his academic performance, adding that,  he never wanted to lose out from the scholarship that was why he kept reading voraciously.

“Having your school fees paid as at when due gives you the motivation to read more, because you are not under financial stress. It actually motivated me to study more and it helped  in solving so many problems”, said Eminaho Efenwegbe, a graduate of Petroleum Engineering with a total GPA of 4.56.

Efenwegbe who got the scholarship from  2nd  year noted that he found it difficult to pay his tuition fees early and get the necessary text books when he was in first year, adding that the scholarship made his tuition fees available in time and he was able to buy text books in time and get other necessary materials needed for the semesters. He also stated that he was able to acquire some skills like computer programming with the grant.

Tunji who also won the scholarship in 2nd  year noted: “Agbami really did a lot towards my success today because back then I normally had to wait for my parents to get me money for my  text books and also pay my school fees, but when I got it, it was more like something I could do without asking them. When you get something like this and report back to your parents, they feel proud of you. My parents were so happy and they encouraged me.”

He further stated that he had to tell his parents to stop sending him money, but  should  use the little they have to cater for their (parents) needs at home, adding that without the scholarship, he would not have achieved many things he wanted to while in school. “I get my books  ready before the semester starts  and Agbami scholarship helped me achieve that. Before school resumes, I already have all books and materials set.” He said.

Ugochukwu who said he was almost discouraged, but  his moral was boosted by  the grant  he received. According to him, “At some point I became discouraged, but I persevered. I kept on reading and studying hard. My  course mates were  encouraging. We read and studied  together. And I was determined” Stating:  “The grant really helped a lot. Because it is not every time you receive such amount of money.

They paid annually, a #100,000 thousand and it is usually paid early. They pay it at the right time. I usually use the money to purchase books and some other relevant materials that are used for studying. It was really helpful.” He said they are certain things you would want to do with money and you cannot ask your parents for such money, noting the fund actually covers for those things. Adding, “Your parents can buy basic text books, but if you tell them you need additional text books, they will be reluctant.

The fund covers for such extra expenses.” He said. A female beneficiary who also graduated from the Department of Gas Engineering with a total GPA of 3.73, that  is  a second class upper division, Odiem Ayonoadu  described the scholarship grant as a  very innovative idea, adding that the scholarship impacted positively in her academic.

According to her “In terms of money wise, I was able to save, I was able to get text books, even before my parents will send the money to me. It also helped me to pay my house rents. I’m really grateful and honoured to be a partaker of such opportunity. It helped me through my years in school.”  She also encouraged those who are currently beneficiaries, to keep on working hard in order to continue enjoying such scholarship opportunity because it doesn’t come often.

The graduands, however, encouraged Star Deepwater and its co-venturers to continue the goodwork  and increase the number of beneficiaries that get this scholarship, adding that, beneficiaries who do well in school should have the opportunity to get employed by the Multinational companies. According to Efenwegbe, “We hope we can get something better from something like this. If the help they granted to us helped us in coming out with good grades, Ithink they should  give us an opportunity to work with them.”

Tunji, who is currently‘ serving  at the university of Uyo in Akwa Ibom said, “Immediately I finish, I am really looking forward to get a job from one of the multinational companies like Chevron and I am  hoping to assist  and impact positively in  the industry.”

Speaking  to  Vanguard Learning,  the coordinator of the Agbami Scholarship in Uniport,  Dr. Ovet Afajenue,  a lecturer at the Department of Fine Art and Design  said  that Star Deep Water Petroleum and its co-venturers have  been impacting positively on  Uniport students through the scholarship, adding that they  currently  donated a 1000 DG  generator to the University.

He noted that “Most companies and NGOs  try to encourage students to achieve high scholarship education. With this, some of the indigene students and those working hard on campus are being assisted and  it also  creates  competition in the  University for Academic Excellence.” Adding, “Some  students are intelligent but they don’t have finance to maintain it, but the scholarship helps them a lot.”

He encouraged the institutions to try and employ their beneficiaries who have done well academically in various institutions. According to him, “I believe that at the end of their education, some of these  students should be invited for interview. That will encourage them more. When they finish, they should be  able to work with the companies.”

He suggested that for  scholarship programmes  to be  sustained  there should be an officer  in every institution  who can be in charge of scholarships of companies and NGOs. He also urgedUniversities  administrations to  always send letters of gratitude to  Star Deepwater  Petroleum and its co-venturers  and itsthat institute scholarship programmes  every year.