By Ahmed Ibrahim

MoneyGram and its partner agents have reiterated commitment to the education of the girl-child by  awarding scholarships to female students with outstanding grade in their course of studies.

Speaking at the occasion to mark the second phase of presentation of scholarships to deserving female students, the Regional Director of Money Gram International, Mrs. Feyi Adebayo said it is the right of every girl child to be educated as this would enable them to develop physically, socially, emotionally politically and economically.

She said “This marking the second year that the scholarship scheme for girl child has been put in place. We conceived the ideal in 2010 in Nigeria and will have the first set of beneficiaries in 2011 and this is the second beneficiaries of the phase two.

In 2011, we extended the programme to our beneficiaries, bursaries that covered tuition, lodging and books and promised that if they maintain minimum, cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0, MoneyGram and her agent partners will offer the students the scholarships till they complete their 1st degree.

She stressed that the reason why the company is focusing on the girl child is to enable them achieve success in life. And thus, this would add value to female in the society. “Educating a child yields great social benefits. She will be more likely to nurture a good family; she will be more productive and financial independent. This will also enable them the risk of contacting deadly diseases HIV/AIDS.”

On her part, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo of English Dept. University of Lagos stressed the importance of education and the girl child.

She said the girl-child is disadvantaged in the family institution and outside it. She said,  “This disadvantage is also reflected in women’s condition generally-in politics, religion and the economy. Education as is vital to ensuring a better quality of life for all and it makes the world a better place. The support of everyone-men, women, parents, government and industry is vital to educational empowerment of the girl-child.”

She called on groups in the society to mobilize resources and opinions to ensure that issues relating to the education and empowerment of the girl-child should be at the forefront in national debates and policy decisions and law should be entrenched to guarantee the safety of the young lad.

Award of cheques was presented to the beneficiaries. They include Hassan Olubukola, Banking and Finance, Unilag, Amudu Afolashsde, Banking and Finance, LASU, Ajayi Bolanle Mass Comm, LASU, Shanu Adedoyin, computer Engineering, Unilag, Scott Adeola . Mass Comm, Unilag, Kehinde Omoshola, Pharmacy, Unilag and shittu, computer Engineering, Unilag.