UNILAG’s brightest receive Elumelu Prize
“With the right support, Nigeria’s young leaders can transform the continent” — Elumelu
LAGOS, NIGERIA, 23 April 2013 – Today, three of the most intelligent graduates of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) came closer to achieving their ambitions to make a positive contribution to Africa’s development. In a special convocation ceremony hosted by Professor Rahamon Bello, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Adijat Isiaq, Dr. Moninuola Ojikutu, and Abdul-Hakeem Buhari received honours for their exceptional performance in their respective fields of study.
The graduates are proud recipients of the Elumelu Legacy Prize and the Awele V. Elumelu Legacy Prize, awards from The Tony Elumelu Foundation that reward top-performing graduating students at universities across Nigeria.
“Such awards ensure we breed meritocracy in our society,” said Professor Bello, “and we are sure that our award winners will be good ambassadors for the University of Lagos as well as The Tony Elumelu Foundation.”
The Elumelu Legacy Prize is awarded annually to the best undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of Economics, Business Administration, and Medicine; programmes related to the academic and career paths of Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, C.O.N., the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, and his wife, Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, who is one of the Foundation’s trustees.
An annual professional prize is also awarded through the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria to encourage excellence in banking.
About the awardees
As Elumelu Legacy Prize recipients, the graduates join a lifelong network of beneficiaries of The Tony Elumelu Foundation as they enter the workforce and progress to become prominent leaders and entrepreneurs in their chosen fields.
Isiaq graduated this year with a master in business administration degree; Dr. Ojikutu earned her degree in Medicine and Surgery; and Buhari graduated top of his department with a first-class degree in Economics and a perfect CGPA of 5.0.
Buhari’s list of accomplishments includes several merit scholarships, and he is also a master orator, holding the title of UNILAG debating champion. Dr. Ojikutu, who won laurels from all the departments in her programme, including the Vice Chancellor’s prize, is currently an intern at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. She aspires to become a health consultant, delivering high quality healthcare to Nigerians.
With a first degree in botany, it may surprise some that Isiaq holds a passion for fashion, which she says she inherited from her parents. She is channelling her interest in the arts and entrepreneurship toward the establishment of her own fashion house.
The Elumelu Legacy Prize
“We are privileged to be able to publicly recognize and support these admirable men and women. Their stellar performance affirms our belief in Nigeria’s talent – an asset that we would like to nurture,” said Mr. Elumelu.
He continued, noting that, “These scholars have demonstrated excellence in education and leadership within their fields, and we commend them.”. “My wife and I believe young leaders such as these have the aptitude and resolve to change not just Nigeria, but Africa.”
The Elumelu Legacy Prize is awarded every year to students from Ambrose Alli University, Edo State; the University of Benin, Edo State; Delta State University; the University of Jos, Plateau State; the University of Lagos; the University of Maiduguri, Borno State; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State; the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State.