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By Adewale Sanyaolu
Egbin Power has sustained an 11-year investment in education, with community leaders and beneficiaries crediting its annual scholarship programme with helping young people in its host communities pursue academic excellence and expand their prospects for the future.
The stakeholders, who spoke at the 11th edition of the scholarship award ceremony held at the Egbin Power Clubhouse Auditorium, said the programme had gone beyond financial assistance to become a platform for encouraging students to aspire to higher academic and professional achievements.
The Odofin of Ijede, High Chief Babatunde Ogunmuyiwa, who represented the Alajede of Ijede Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Adefarasin Hassan, said the initiative had changed the educational fortunes of several students and families in the communities.
“This scholarship has changed the story for many students and families in our communities. It inspires our young people to work hard and dream higher,” he said, commending Egbin Power’s management and staff for sustaining the programme.
He urged the company to maintain the initiative, describing its continuity as a demonstration of its commitment to the development of its host communities.
Also speaking on behalf of the six Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) representing the host communities, Wahab Bello said Egbin Power had demonstrated a sustained commitment to the future of young people through its investment in education.
“Egbin Power has demonstrated that it cares about the future of our children and the development of our communities. That is why the scholarship has come to stay,” he said.
Bello urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by maintaining high academic standards and becoming positive contributors to their communities.
For the Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour, the scholarship programme represents a deliberate long-term investment in young people and reflects the company’s belief that education remains a critical driver of sustainable development.
“Education is one of the strongest tools for change. The scholarship programme is a deliberate, long-term investment in young people who will become the leaders, professionals, and change-makers of tomorrow,” Bounour said.
He added that Egbin Power was focused on creating “sustainable pathways for lasting impact” through initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
The programme is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
For the beneficiaries, the impact of the initiative was reflected in the recognition of students who distinguished themselves academically.
Royalty Olasunkanmi, who emerged as the Top Scholar in the Host Community Category, expressed appreciation to Egbin Power and the community, urging other students to intensify their efforts to benefit from the programme.
“I am grateful to Egbin Power and my community for giving me this opportunity. I encourage other students to put more effort into their studies to be part of the scholarship programme,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mercy, who emerged as the Top Scholar in the Academic Excellence Award Category, said the scholarship had strengthened her determination to pursue her academic ambitions.
“This scholarship programme has given me the courage to keep aiming high in my studies. I thank Egbin Power for creating this opportunity for students,” she said.
The scholarship programme forms part of Egbin Power’s wider community development interventions covering education, healthcare, youth empowerment and community infrastructure.
Through the sustained education programme, the company said it seeks to create lasting value beyond its core power generation business by improving opportunities for young people and contributing to the social and economic development of its host communities.
