The Special Foundation (TSF), an NGO, has awarded full primary and secondary school scholarships to 1O underprivileged pupils of Bridge International Academies in Lagos and Osun states.
Mr Seyi Akinwale, Founder of TSF, said at the event on Friday in Lagos that the scholarship covers tuition, books and other materials the beneficiaries needed to assist them function effectively all through their primary and secondary education.
According to him, education is key in nation building and government cannot do it all alone.
Akinwale said the foundation was established to provide a platform for improvement in quality of leadership in Nigeria and Africa, through improved access to education for less privileged children.
He said that the scholarship, which other schools in the state had been privileged to enjoy, would be extended to more children in Bridge come next academic session.
“It’s a making Dreams Come True through Education, being the reason for this partnership with Bridge Nigeria to provide scholarship opportunities to the underprivileged in the community and to assist our government in giving them future.
“As part of the collaboration, an initial set of 10 pupils from Osun and Lagos of Bridge International Academies have received full scholarships for their primary and post-primary education.
“The scholarship opportunity will be extended to more children next term; however, it is targeted at orphaned and vulnerable children in disadvantaged communities to encourage them,” he added.
He described Bridge Nigeria as one of its partner organisations for education intervention programmes, hence, the collaboration because the mission of providing quality education to children of low-income families aligned closely with TSF goal.
“We intend broadening the partnership with Bridge Nigeria and furthering the impact of their work, while ensuring the sustainability of this partnership, hence, the initiative to set up the foundation,” Akinwale added.
On the sideline, Ms Foyinsola Akinjayeju, Managing Director, Bridge Nigeria, commended TSF for its impact on the lives of less privileged children through scholarship and mentorship programmes.
Akinjayeju expressed optimism that the TSF-Bridge partnership would hopefully lead to more collaborations and opportunities for additional beneficiaries from Bridge.
“In Bridge, we believe that a child’s potential should not be limited by his or her socio-economic status, hence our support for low income families through the access we provide to life changing education.
“It is on that note that we are collaborating with credible individuals and organisations like The Special Foundation to offer scholarship opportunities to indigent pupils.
“If there is anybody or organisation seeking to make a real impact, there is no better place to invest than in the lives of children who are the future of any nation,” Akinjayeju added.
Meanwhile, parents of the beneficiaries applauded TSF for the scholarship for its intervention in supporting children’s access to life changing education.
The exited parents also thanked Bridge management for providing the platform that had made the scholarship possible and reach of their children.
Mrs Victoria Stanley, visually impaired parent of Chidera (5) and Prudence Stanley (3), both beneficiaries, said that the scholarship was a huge relief for her family.
“We could not contain our joy when we received a call from Bridge, informing us of Chidera and Prudence’s scholarship, we don’t have to worry about their primary and secondary schools fees anymore.
” Our prayers have been answered, all we need to do is to start saving towards their university education and I believe they both will achieve their dreams,” she expressed.
Also, Mrs Funmi Oluranti-Davis, guardian to 8-year-old Inioluwa Oluranti-Davis, said she decided to take care of the 8-year-old girl after she lost her father and was left with the option of dropping out of school and working as a househelp somewhere.
“I was so excited to receive the news of Inioluwa’s scholarship as it would go a long way in supporting her family and actualising her dreams,” said Oluranti-Davis, also a single mother of three.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bridge Nigeria has a network of 46 schools across Nigeria.
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TSF is a privately funded social impact organisation focusing on building Africa’s next set of leaders by refining their minds through education.(
