Alex Otti Foundation shortlists 71 undergraduates for scholarship

The Alex Otti Foundation has shortlisted 71 students for its tertiary education scholarship for the 2022/2023 academic session.

The shortlisted candidates were selected across different public universities, polytechnics and monotechnics in Nigeria.

The candidates were screened by a seasoned panel in Umuahia, Abia state.

In a statement on Monday, Destiny Isiguzo, the foundation’s director of corporate communications, said successful candidates will be paid N150,000 every session to offset the cost of their education.

Isiguzo said the candidates must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5 for universities and 2.8 for polytechnics and monotechnics, to continue to benefit from the scheme.

He added that at the end of the latest scholarship application, the foundation will have over 200 undergraduate students benefiting from its scholarship scheme.

The foundation was established by Otti, governor of Abia, to provide “opportunities to the most deserving students who may be struggling to raise their tuition”.

On his motivation for establishing the scholarship, Otti disclosed that the difficulties he encountered as an undergraduate student at the University of Port Harcourt, spurred him into resolving to make a difference.

“It was this personal knowledge of lack that led me to discover the true meaning of ‘opportunity’ beyond what lexicographers ascribe to it,” he said.

“Throughout my life and career, I have seen amazing outcomes when opportunity is given to the right and deserving people who ordinarily may not have had a shot at it.

“Take, for instance, education. I come from a humble background, and would not have been where I am today if I did not get the chance to be educated.

“Mine was education, to others it could be loans or grants that turned their lives around.”