16 candidates get N16m scholarship for per formance in UTME

FOR their excellent performance in the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME), 16 candidates have been awarded scholarship worth N16million by the Nigerian Society of Engineers ( NSE) to study engineering courses in higher schools.

The beneficiaries, comprising males and females, have indicated interest to study mechanical, industrial production, electrical, computer as well as civil engineering in Nigerian universities. The best three of the 16 candidates, Maduafokwa Egoagwuagwa Agnes, Nwobi Okwuchuwu David, and Ojuba Mezisasha Shalom, scored 369, 363 and 359 in the examination.

Each of the candidates will get N200, 000 per year for the next five years if they gained admission this year. Besides, each of them got a brand new laptop while the best candidate, Maduafokwa got an extra new laptop and a tablet donated by the President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, Mrs. Funmilola Ojelade, and other sponsors Speaking virtually at the unveiling of the candidates in Lagos, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, described the gesture by the NSE as uncommon in the history of the profession. He said it would go a long way in deepening students’ interest in engineering profession and bridging the observed capacity gap among engineering graduates.

According to Zulum, an engineer, the initiative will also strengthen existing policies towards capacity development for the industry. He pledged to support the society in achieving its mandate.

Addressing the gathering, which attracted parents, top practicing engineers in Nigeria and across the world as well as officials of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board ( JAMB), the President of NSE, Babagana Mohammed, explained that the gesture was in line with the institution’s strategic mission and objective of getting more Nigerians to study and practice engineering, and to grow the profession in all its ramifications.