Emergence and Award Presentation to the Winners of the 2024/2025 Jemitim Foundation Scholarship/Sponsorship Awards

Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State, August 20, 2025

In a memorable celebration of excellence and empowerment, the Jemitim Foundation hosted the 2nd Edition of its Scholarship and Sponsorship Award Presentation Ceremony at the Pinnacle Theatre, Obio Akpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Uruk Anam LGA. The event once again underscored the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to promoting academic distinction and supporting the education of female students at AKSU.

Two exceptional female undergraduates—Miss Blessing Akpan Hezekiah from the Department of Microbiology and Miss Enomfon Effiong Okpousung from the Department of Biochemistry—emerged as recipients of the 2024/2025 Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Award. Each winner received a cash prize of ₦110,000 from the Foundation, complemented by additional donations from well-meaning guests, bringing the total amount received by each awardee to ₦200,000.

In her welcome address, the Founder of the Jemitim Foundation, Prof. Mrs. Jemimah Timothy Ekanem, congratulated the awardees and reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission of empowering young women through education. She announced the upward review of the scholarship prize from ₦100,000 to ₦110,000, and also introduced the commencement of the Foundation’s Digital Skills Training Sponsorship Programme, aimed at equipping students with globally relevant digital competencies.

The Chairman of the Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Board, Engr. Yireobong Akpaba, presented the awardees and the sponsored trainees to the Founder and audience. In his remarks, he reflected on the rigorous and transparent selection process, emphasizing the Foundation’s commitment to fair play and a sustained merit-based approach in identifying deserving beneficiaries. He assured that the Foundation would continue to uphold integrity and transparency as it expands its reach in future editions.

In a heartwarming show of support, some well-wishers in attendance took turns to make generous donations to the scholarship awardees and the Foundation, including cash contributions and pledges to sponsor future beneficiaries. Their collective gesture not only reinforced the Foundation’s vision but also laid a solid foundation for the 3rd Edition of the Scholarship/Sponsorship Awards.

Goodwill messages poured in from distinguished personalities, including the Vice-Chancellor of AKSU, represented by Prof. Nkanikpo Ibok Ibok, Head of Obio Akpa Campus, alongside Prof. Ita Ewa Oboho (DVC Administration), Prof. Iniobong Umotong (Dean, Faculty of Arts), Dr. Mfoniso Iwatt (Director, Quality Assurance), Prof. Franca Anijaobi-Idem (Director, Centre for Gender Studies), Dr. Monday Dickson (Director, SERVICOM), Mr. Gabriel Otu (Director, Information Unit), Prof. Trenchard Ibia, Dr. Enyenihi Johnson, and other members of the university community. Also in attendance were respected personalities and supporters of the Foundation, including Mr. Timothy Ekanem (Co-founder),  Sir/Lady Ime Inyang, Mr. Akaninyene Ibanga, Sis. Nene Ukpe, and Sis. Joyce Eyoh, among others.

As part of the ceremony, the Foundation also presented its first cohort of sponsored trainees for Google Professional Certificates in Digital Skills, in partnership with Innovation Labs (iLabs). The selected trainees include:

• Mr. Wisdom Akpan Udofia – Data Analytics
  
  

• Mr. Elijah Augustine Ekanem – Data Analytics
  
  

• Miss Blessing Sunday Josiah – AI Essentials
  
  

• Mr. Mbuotidem Udeme Sunday – E-Commerce & Digital Marketing
  
  

Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Mrs. Jewel Thomas, a member of the Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Board, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the University administration, guests, board members, and well-wishers for their support and presence. She commended the Founder for her vision and dedication to youth development, while encouraging the beneficiaries to uphold excellence and make the most of the opportunities provided to them.

The ceremony ended on a joyful note with group photographs and interactions among guests, university officials, and awardees. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and inspiration as attendees celebrated the Foundation’s growing impact in empowering female students and promoting academic excellence.

Since its establishment in January 2024, the Jemitim Foundation has continued to distinguish itself as a catalyst for educational advancement and gender empowerment, remaining steadfast in its mission to sustain academic excellence, support female students, and promote girl-child education in Akwa Ibom State University and beyond.

View the event in pictures!

Emergence and Award Presentation to the Winners of Jemitim Foundation Scholarship

Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, October 2, 2024

In a remarkable celebration of academic excellence and female empowerment, the Jemitim Foundation held its Maiden Edition Scholarship Award presentation at the Auditorium of Akwa Ibom State University's (AKSU) Main Campus. The event, which marked a significant milestone for the newly established foundation, saw the emergence of two outstanding students as winners of the prestigious scholarship.

Miss Edidiong Ekominam Edet from the Department of Marketing (200-Level Category) and Miss Favour James Mkpayen from the Department of Mechanical Engineering (300-Level Category) were awarded the 2023/2024 Jemitim Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship, valued at One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) each, is a highly competitive, merit-based award aimed at recognizing and supporting academically exceptional female students. The winners were selected based on their excellent academic performances, maintaining a minimum CGPA of 3.5, and their commitment to upholding the core values of academic integrity.

The event was graced by esteemed members of the University community, led by the Vice-Chancellor, along with other principal officers, deans, and heads of departments. The presence of faculty members, student leaders, and guests added to the grandeur of the occasion. The Founder of Jemitim Foundation, Prof. Mrs. Jemimah Timothy Ekanem, in her address, emphasized the foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities for young women and promoting academic excellence.

In an address delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of AKSU, he applauded the Foundation for its dedication to uplifting students and contributing to the advancement of girl-child education. In a pleasant surprise, the Vice-Chancellor pronounced an additional cash reward of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) to each of the winners, acknowledging their academic diligence and encouraging them to aim even higher.

During the award presentation, Miss Edidiong Ekominam Edet and Miss Favour James Mkpayen, visibly excited, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Jemitim Foundation for the scholarship. They each delivered acceptance speeches, highlighting the profound impact the scholarship would have on their academic journeys. They also extended their appreciation to their families, mentors, and AKSU for providing an enabling environment for academic excellence.

The Chairman of the Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Board, Engr. Yireobong Akpaba, while presenting the winners to the Founder and guest, he highlighted the rigor and buidlup to the emergence of the winners of the maiden edition. He reiterated the Foundation's mission to promote academic excellence and assured that the scholarship program would continue to expand, benefitting more students in future editions.

The event also saw the attendance of representatives from various faculties and departments, student leaders, and press personnel, who all shared in the celebration of academic excellence and the empowerment of young women in higher education.

The ceremony closed with a group photograph of the winners, the Foundation’s representatives, and University officials. The event was a resounding success, with students and staff lauding the Jemitim Foundation for its invaluable contribution to fostering academic growth and female empowerment at Akwa Ibom State University.

As the Jemitim Foundation continues to champion the cause of education, it sets a new standard for student support and academic development, ensuring that deserving students, particularly young women, receive the encouragement and resources they need to thrive in their academic pursuits.

View the event in pictures!