By Dayo Adesulu

THE MTN Foundation funding of MUSON Music Scholars programme which started in 2006 received a boost recently as it announced the renewal of sponsorship for the next five years.

This was made known to the public during the institution’s 4th graduation ceremony of the MTN Foundation/Muson music scholars held at the Agip Recital Hall, Onikan, Lagos.

L-R Directors, Mr. Dennis Okoro, Mrs. Aishatu Sadauki, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi all of MTN Foundation presenting Jerry Daniel Gozie, best graduating student, a digital keyboard at the MTNF Muson Scholars graduation in Lagos...on Tuesday.

Conveying the goodwill message of the Tele-communication giant to the graduands, Mr Amb. Hamzat Ahmadu, Chairman, Board of Directors, MTN Nigeria said that Nigerian youths are bundle of talented musicians cut across Africa and beyond.

“It is gratifying to see how Nigerian music stars are playing to international audiences at sold-out concerts all over the world,”he said.

The Director noted that there are many more who have such latent talent but limited financially to pursue their goals saying: “That is the reason MTN Foundation took up the challenge five years ago to assist the talented musical students attain their dreams.

According to Ahmadu, MTN Foundation and the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) began a unique partnership to assist brilliant but indigent students to fulfil their dreams of pursuing a career in Music, hence the Foundation took full responsibility for students’ tuition, book allowance, and transport stipend to facilitate their movement for the duration of the programme.

Recalling antecedents, Ahmadu said: “The first set of 21 students graduated in June 2008 with a Diploma in Music, while the second set of 24 students graduated in July 2009. In June 2010, another batch of 29 students successfully completed their course.

They have all received exposure to the highest standards of music and we believe that they are doing us proud in their various fields of endeavours.”

He disclosed that three of the first set of students who graduated in June 2008, later secured admission to the Department of Music, University of Dayton, Ohio, United States of America, where they graduated with honours pointing out that the trio of Olufemi Ogebule, Ezeuko Anuli and Paul Ogunboye are the first Africans to graduate with honours from the Department of Music of that prestigious University.

“We are excited about this achievement and the glory that it has brought to MUSON and to Nigeria as well hoping that today’s graduating students and their successors will also distinguish themselves in a way that brings honor to themselves, their families and all those who had faith in them,” he said.

The 29 MTNF Music Scholars that graduated recently bring the total number of students who have benefitted from this unique programme to 103.

Since 2004, the Chairman maintained, the Foundation has impacted millions of lives directly and indirectly across the six geo-political zones of the country stressing that MTN Foundation has over 292 project sites in 36 states across the country including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

His words: “These scholars are an addition to the thousands of Nigerians who have benefitted from MTN Foundation projects.

We will award prizes to the best three students to reward their diligence, discipline and tenacity.

It is our hope that the gesture will inspire them and the others to continue to do their best in their future endeavours.”