The HAM Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has announced plans to distribute grants to 500 students across Kwara North.
The project, tagged Manko 1.0 Students Grant, was officially unveiled by the Director of Student Affairs of the foundation, Nafisat Omomeji, in Ilorin on Thursday.
She revealed that the Manko 1.0 Students Grant Award aims to support and empower students.
The flagship distribution will benefit 500 students from Kwara North, with 100 students selected from each of the five local governments: Edu, Patigi, Kaima, Baruten, and Moro, according to her.
Adding to this, the Program Communication Manager, Mr. Suleiman Abduljalil added that subsequent Grant Awards 2.0 and 3.0 will extend to Kwara South and Kwara Central, maintaining the same number of beneficiaries.
He said, “The Manko 1.0 Students Grant Award, an exciting initiative aimed at supporting and empowering students, is now here. Earlier today, the scheme was officially unveiled, marking a significant milestone in the journey to add value to the students’ beneficiaries.
“The buzz surrounding the Manko 1.0 Students Grant Award has been building up as students have been made aware of its existence and the positive impact it will have on their lives. The anticipation has created a sense of enthusiasm and curiosity among the students who have been waiting for the launch of the scheme.”
He further noted that the goal is to empower these students, enabling them to pursue their educational aspirations without financial constraints.
“The foundation believes that investing in education is crucial for the development of the community and hopes that this grant will inspire and motivate the students to achieve their full potential. By supporting these students, HAM Foundation aims to contribute to the overall educational advancement and socio-economic development of Kwara State.”
When asked about the motive behind the scheme, Suleiman clarified that although the founder of the organization is a politician, the motivation for organizing the program is entirely non-political.
The unveiling event was attended by student union leaders and representatives. The foundation said it had earlier engaged student representatives in the build-up to the grant unveiling, seeking their input on the scope and coverage, giving them a sense of inclusion and ownership.
Also present at the unveiling were foundation staff and UNDP Fellows.
