Foodco commences scholarship scheme

Foodco Nigeria Limited has announced the kick-off of the Dr. Adegbenga Sun-Basorun Scholarship Scheme, in a bid to create and ensure equal opportunities for indigent students as well reduce the burden of out-of-school-children in Nigeria.

The scholarship scheme is set up in memory of the late Dr. Adegbenga Sun-Basorun, the founding Chairman of FoodCo Nigeria Limited, who was noted for his passion towards uplifting the lot of less privileged members of the society, especially women and children.

The scholarship scheme is set up for Junior Secondary students across selected schools in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Executive Director of FoodCo Nigeria Limited, Ade Sun-Basorun, said the initiative would help reduce the stress families go through to provide quality education for their children.

Sun-Basorun said that the scholarship scheme would be a springboard for indigent students in Ibadan to achieve their academic and career aspirations.

He said: “We understand the importance of education as a critical element in any society hence our decision to provide much needed intervention for indigent students.

“The foundation will work in collaboration with the management of the selected schools to nominate suitable indigent candidates based on merit.

“For a start, the scheme is opened to Junior Secondary School Two (JSS 2) students whose academic performance from the previous class will be an initial eligibility criterion. We have just concluded an eligibility test for students in seven secondary schools in Ibadan. In all, we had about 135 students that participated in the exams and we are expecting to award scholarships to 50 -70 students depending on their performance.”

Also, the Marketing Director of Foodco, Mr. Solomon Huele, said foodco grew with Ibadan community and as a brand, we want to give back to the community, and also go beyond commercial entity.

Solomon said the scholarship is mainly organised for public schools, for students from struggling background so that to give them world class education that will give them a platform to explore anywhere in the world.

According to him; he said, giving scholarship to people who can’t afford education will more or less change the story of the family.
He said, this is a first one and we are still going to have a subsequent once.

“We believe that education is what makes someone a greater person so as a company we should do what will educate people.

Co-Ordinator, Universal Basic Education Board, UBEC, Ibadan, Mrs. Lydia Gbagi who was among the hosts of dignitaries that attended the event said, “It is always gratifying to see corporate organizations not only give back to the society but also choose education as the platform from which to touch lives. We are delighted because this scheme will not only serve as an incentive for students to take their studies serious but would also help tackle incidences of out-of-school amongst students in the society.

FoodCo, by this gesture, has shown that it appreciates the role that education plays in the society and we call on other corporate bodies to borrow a leaf from them.”

Some of the schools that participated in the maiden edition of the Dr. Adegbenga Sun-Basorun Scholarship Scheme eligibility test included Oba Akinyele Memorial High School, Queen’s School, Government College and TL Oyesina Model Secondary School.

Others include Community High School, Alegongo, Methodist Secondary School and Urban Day Secondary.