The Tony Elumelu Foundation Awards Elumelu Legacy Prizes In Sokoto And Benue
Students honoured for displaying academic excellence in key subject areas
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), an African-founded, African-funded not-for-profit institution committed to enhancing the competitiveness of Africa’s private sector, has announced the next set of winners to receive its annual Elumelu Legacy Prize.
The Elumelu Legacy Prize honours top-performing graduating students at several universities across Nigeria. The annual prize is awarded to top undergraduate and graduate (where relevant) students in Economics, Business Administration, and Medicine. An annual professional prize is also provided through the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria to encourage excellence in the banking profession.
Exceptional students from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Benue State University are the latest to receive the honour, in recognition of their top performances in programmes related to the academic and career paths of Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, C.O.N., Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, and his wife, Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, who is a fellow Trustee of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Katja Schiller-Nwator, who oversees the leadership development initiatives of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, said, “We are very impressed with these students’ ambition and the qualities they exhibit as scholars and contributing members of society. We look forward to working with them and future winners over the years, as we support them to fulfil their goals and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria and Africa’s transformation.”
Earlier this year, students at the University of Jos were presented with Elumelu Legacy Prizes, in the first convocation ceremony that included the award.
The Awardees
Elumelu Legacy Prize awardees from Usmanu Danfodiyo University are Atiku Jibrilla Usman, Medicine; Muhammad Sani, B.Sc., Economics; Shadi Sabeh, M.Sc., Economics; and Salihu Umar, who graduates with a Master’s in Business Administration.
The group has high aspirations. Mr.Usman, who is the university’s best graduating student in medicine this year, said, “I plan to be part of the machinery of transformation of healthcare services globally. I thank The Tony Elumelu Foundation for the recognition and encouragement.”
The Elumelu Legacy Prize in Benue State University will be awarded to: Akombo Christopher Lior, MBA; Solomon Sooter Kwen, B.Sc. Economics; and Joseph Fefa and Ahmed Idoko Itodo, who have earned joint top honours for their Master’s of Science degrees in Economics.
“We are pleased to commend and support high calibre home grown scholars from all corners of our great nation who have demonstrated excellence in education and leadership within their fields,” said Mr. Elumelu. “We believe young leaders such as these have the aptitude and resolve to change Africa, and that their efforts, supported by organizations like The Tony Elumelu Foundation, will begin the process of transformation this continent needs for growth.”
Subsequent to receiving the prizes, each student will be invited to join a lifelong network of beneficiaries of The Tony Elumelu Foundation as they successfully enter the workforce and progress to becoming prominent leaders and entrepreneurs.
Usmanu Danfodiyo University hosted its convocation ceremony this Saturday, 1 December 2012, where Mr. Elumelu returned to the city in which he served for NYSC to personally present each student with their award. The graduation and award events at Benue State University are set for 8 December 2012.