By Tare Youdeowei

IN a bid to foster access to   education and encourage students to excel in academics and character, RedStar Express, under the RedStar Foundation Scholarship scheme, has selected some of its top management staff as mentors to nine students from public schools in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.

The scheme, which is in its 13th edition, has the likes of Inemesit James-Okoro, Assistant General Manager Operations and Services; Mudi Okumagba, AGM Sales; Kayode Agbe, HOS RSE; Frances Akpomuka, Company Secretary; Jaiye Olafeso, Manager, Domestics OPS; Anna Okumagba, Manager, Billing unit; Funmi Odubonojo, Group Treasury Manager; Valentine Onyibo, RSE Accountant and Tunji Ojedokun, RSL Accountant, mentor the students to provide guidance and support in his or her unique developmental needs.

Scholarship programme

Speaking on the need for mentorship at the 2016 Red Star Foundation’s annual scholarship programme, in which the company demonstrated its core values in its CSR initiative, the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Sola Obabori said; “The primary role is to provide guidance and support to the scholars based on his or her unique developmental needs.

At different points in the relationship, the mentors will give advice and guidance, share ideas, and provide feedback, identify resources to help mentee enhance personal development and career growth and provide quarterly reports on achievements and academic performance scholars.

“The company organizes the annual scholarship programme in collaboration with its host community, Oshodi Local Government, the Schools’ Officials and University of Lagos Consult. The scholarship programme started in 2004 and has been expanded to Kano and Port Harcourt”.

Commending and appreciating the effort of Red Star Express, Sole Administrator, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon. Taoheed Adebayo, said; “This is one of the few companies in Lagos that has been consistent with the scholarship programme, which is in line with this administration’s educational policies and commitments. In the last four months, we have made provisions for 15,000 school uniforms and improved public libraries that are open for use now.

AGM Operations and Services, Inemesit James-Okoro, shared her experience as a mentor; “Mentoring was a big challenge but at the end of the day, the girl is a success story. Her family was not well off. There were times they could not meet her educational needs. I was her mentor and was there for her. She left secondary school and went to the university. I am still in touch with her. Today she works with a multinational company in Lekki. It turned out to be a success story.”