Former Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has announced the launch of a new scholarship scheme for university students of Nigerian origin. He made the announcement late this morning via social media.

Messages posted on Atiku’s Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as on his official website gave reasons for the new initiative, entry requirements and how qualified undergraduate and postgraduate students could apply for the essay contest through which the winner would be emerge.

His personal message said: “My name is Atiku Abubakar. I wouldn’t be who I am today without education.

“I have alwaystalked about how I attended school very much against the wish of my late father. My dad was actually sent to prison for barring his son from access to education. Asmy biography makes clear,I only started attending school after the authorities put my father in jail. Amazingly, this poor boy who could have missed the chance of an education grew to occupy one of the highest offices of the land. This is the power of education; it holds the potential to transform lives by liberating human beings from poverty, ignorance and disease.

“Because of this personal example, all my life I have aspired to, working with fellow countrymen and women, create and expand access toeducation for every child in the land. More than twenty years ago, long before I became Vice President, with the able support of my wife, I started my first school, a kindergarten/primary school. In the time since then the venture has expanded to university level, providing world-class education to multitudes of young persons – many of whom are indigent students who get generous concessions and scholarships, because of my firm belief that poverty should never be allowed to stand in the way of a great education.

“But in all of this I have remained dissatisfied. I have always felt that I could do more, that Nigeria could do more, for the proper education of our young people. And then I recently got active on social media, an experience that instantly made me wish I had done this much earlier. The very insightful conversations I regularly have on the platforms have demonstrated to me that the solutions to Nigeria’s education problems are best known by the users of the system, our young people; the ones currently bearing the brunt of the failings.

“Over the last 10 years, I have contributed a small fortune in scholarships, through yearly endowments. This year, I intend to continue that tradition, but with a small twist: I would like to combine that traditional scholarship award with an opportunity to let young Nigerians develop their ideas about how to save Nigeria’s education system.

“So, this year, one full scholarship, tenable in a Nigerian or foreign institution, will be going to the winner of a competitive process – an essay contest.

“There will also be consolation prizes.

“My office has helped to put together a formal process for applying for the scholarship.

“I sincerely hope this competition will spark interest among the most important stakeholders in our nation’s schools, Nigeria’s passionate and thoughtful young people.

“I encourage you to please spread the word.

“And may the best woman or man win”.

News Express found details of the programme on Atiku’s official website, www.atiku.org:

“2013 ATIKU ABUBAKAR SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP OFFER

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is offering one undergraduate/postgraduate scholarship to Nigerian students.

“The scholarship istenable in Nigeria and overseas,and will reasonably cover tuition and board.

“Entrants must be Nigerian citizens who are currently undergoing, or have been admitted into, a course of study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a government-approved institution of learning within or outside Nigeria.

“To qualify for consideration for the scholarship applicants should submit an essay on the topic:

More Learning to More People: How Nigeria can be more innovative in bridging its literacy and skills gap?

“Entries must be in English, and be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

“All essays should be submitted on or before August 31, 2013.

“It will be the responsibility of applicants to reasonably prove that they possess valid letters or offers of admission, or other evidence of studentship. Successful candidates who are unable to prove this will have their scholarship offers revoked.

“Entrants must avoid plagiarism and should be prepared to present themselves for an oral defence of their work (should the need arise). Plagiarism will result in instant disqualification of the affected entry.

“Essays will be judged for grammar, clarity, coherence and a focus on solutions. (While it is important to highlight the problems and challenges of education in Nigeria, the essay should primarily focus on innovative problem-solving)

“Only one scholarship will be awarded. There will however be consolation prizes for up to two other entrants.

“The Judges’ decision is final and will not be subject to appeal or litigation.

“ESSAY FORMAT GUIDELINES

“Essays, containing between 2,000 and 5,000 words, should be emailed as Microsoft Word documents to scholarship@atiku.org

“The first page of the essay document should include the following:

“Entrants Name & Date of Birth

“Entrants Contact Details (Valid email address and phone number)

“Entrants Institution (with full institution address included), Course of Study, Year of Entry, and Student Number (Also specifying whether Undergraduate or Postgraduate)

“Essays should be in a legible font (font size 12); 1.5-spaced or double-spaced

“All pages should be properly numbered.”

•Photo shows Atiku Abubakar.