Uruk Anam, Akwa Ibom State – August 14, 2026

The Jemitim Foundation has successfully hosted the presentation ceremony for the 2025/2026 Cycle (3rd Edition) of its Scholarship Award, in a colourful gathering that brought together distinguished academics, university administrators, members of the Foundation, students, families, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate academic excellence and the empowerment of young women through education.

The ceremony was marked by gratitude, inspiring goodwill messages, generous donations, and a renewed commitment by the Foundation to expanding its impact in the years ahead.

Among the distinguished personalities in attendance were the Founder of the Jemitim Foundation, Prof. (Mrs.) Jemimah Ekanem; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Damian Agom, alongside members of the Board; and the Chairman of the Scholarship Board, Engr. Yireobong Akpaba, together with members of the Scholarship Board, including Dr. Mrs. Jewel Thomas, among others.

The event also attracted prominent members of the academic community, including the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Prof. Anthony Usoro; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Umoren Umoren; former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Akaneren Essien; the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Ololade Olatunji; the Dean of Students' Affairs, Engr. Dr. Dominic Ekpo; and the Head of Department of Chemistry, Dr. Aniedi Nyong.

Also present were members of the Founder’s family, including her husband, Mr. Timothy Ekanem, and their children. Lecturers, students, family members, friends, and well-wishers also graced the occasion, contributing to the warm and celebratory atmosphere.

Celebrating the Scholarship Recipients

The highlight of the ceremony was the recognition and presentation of scholarship awards to outstanding female students of Akwa Ibom State University who distinguished themselves through the Foundation's selection process.

The awardees were:

• Miss Beracah Joel Eshiet - Department of Marine Engineering

• Miss Blessing Ita Umo - Department of Marine Biology

• Miss Grace Godwin Sunday - Department of Microbiology

• Miss Shammah Daniel Okon - Department of Marine Biology

• Miss Victoria Isaac Okon - Department of Chemistry

• Miss Victoria Emmanuel Bassey - Department of Business Administration

• Miss Favour Uwe Sam - Department of Accounting 

• Miss Ruth Ezekiel-Hart - Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering

• Miss Confidence Austin Urang - Department of Accounting

The recipients expressed profound appreciation to the Jemitim Foundation for the opportunity, describing the scholarship as not only financial assistance but also a source of encouragement, hope, motivation, and renewed commitment to academic excellence.

In a response delivered on behalf of all the awardees by Miss Victoria Emmanuel Bassey, the beneficiaries expressed their profound gratitude to Almighty God, the Jemitim Foundation, the Founder, their parents and families, lecturers, mentors, and everyone who had contributed to their academic journeys. 

They described the scholarship as more than financial support, but as a vote of confidence, an encouragement to strive for excellence, and a responsibility to justify the confidence reposed in them through academic excellence, good character, and meaningful contributions to the University, their communities, and society. They also pledged to make the best use of the opportunity and, in the future, support and inspire others just as the Jemitim Foundation has inspired them. 

Goodwill Messages and Support for the Foundation

The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from distinguished guests, who commended the Jemitim Foundation for its commitment to supporting female students and promoting access to education.

Speakers praised the Founder and the Foundation for creating a platform through which promising students can receive financial support and encouragement to pursue their academic aspirations.

The event further witnessed generous financial support from guests who made cash donations towards the continued activities and sustainability of the Jemitim Foundation. These gestures demonstrated the growing confidence and goodwill enjoyed by the Foundation within the university community and beyond.

A notable gesture came from Prof. Anthony Usoro, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, who donated ₦10,000 to each of the scholarship awardees, further adding to the joy and excitement of the beneficiaries.

The Founder's Speech

A major feature of the ceremony was the Founder’s Annual Speech, delivered by Prof. (Mrs.) Jemimah Ekanem.

In her address, the Founder reflected on the vision behind the Jemitim Foundation and its commitment to empowering young women through education. She emphasized the importance of investing in students, noting that educational support goes beyond financial assistance to building confidence, opening opportunities, and contributing to the development of future leaders.

She expressed appreciation to the University community, members of the Board of Trustees, the Scholarship Board, donors, parents, students, and all individuals who have supported the Foundation's vision.

Prof. Ekanem also expressed her determination to make the next edition of the scholarship programme better, broader, and more impactful, pledging that the Foundation would continue to explore ways of reaching and supporting more deserving students.

Her commitment was received with appreciation and optimism by the audience, as the Foundation continues to establish itself as a meaningful contributor to educational development and female empowerment.

A Celebration of Hope and Possibility

The 3rd Edition Scholarship Award Presentation was more than a ceremony to present financial awards. It was a celebration of academic excellence, resilience, opportunity, and the power of giving.

For the beneficiaries, the award represents an investment in their education and a reminder that their efforts are seen and appreciated. For the Jemitim Foundation, it represents another milestone in its continuing mission to support young women and contribute to the development of the next generation.

The presence of distinguished academics, university administrators, families, students, friends, and well-wishers further underscored the collective importance of supporting education.

As the curtains came down on the 2025/2026 Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Award Presentation, the atmosphere was one of gratitude and renewed hope. The Foundation's pledge to deliver an even more impactful edition in the coming year provides a strong indication that the vision of empowering lives through education will continue to grow.

The 3rd Edition of the Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Award therefore stands as another significant chapter in a journey dedicated to recognising excellence, supporting dreams, empowering young women, and investing in a brighter future.

View the ceremony in picture!

Uruk Anam, Akwa Ibom State – August 20, 2025

The Jemitim Foundation, true to its mission of sustaining academic excellence and promoting girl-child education, held the 2nd Edition of its Scholarship and Sponsorship Award Presentation Ceremony on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Pinnacle Theatre, Obio Akpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Uruk Anam LGA.

The ceremony drew together a cross-section of the university community—officials, faculty, staff, students, and distinguished guests—who came to celebrate female academic achievement and the Foundation’s growing impact.

Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Mrs. Jemimah Ekanem, Founder of the Jemitim Foundation, reaffirmed the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to female education. She announced the upward review of the scholarship prize from ₦100,000 to ₦110,000 per recipient and further disclosed the commencement of the Foundation’s Digital Skills Training Sponsorship Programme, designed to equip students with globally relevant professional skills.

The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of scholarships to two outstanding female undergraduates:

• Miss Blessing Akpan Hezekiah, Department of Microbiology, AKSU

• Miss Enomfon Effiong Okpousung, Department of Biochemistry, AKSU

Each awardee received ₦110,000 from the Foundation, complemented by donations from distinguished guests, bringing the total support to ₦200,000 each.

In a remarkable show of solidarity, some well-wishers in attendance took turns to make generous donations to the Foundation. Their contributions, which included cash gifts and pledges to sponsor future awardees, underscored the shared commitment to sustaining the vision of the Foundation. Notably, some guests pledged direct support for the sponsorship of beneficiaries in the upcoming 3rd Edition of the scholarship awards.” 

Earlier in the ceremony, the Chairman of the Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Board/Secretary Jemitim Foundation Board of Trustee, Engr. Yireobong Akpaba, formally presented the awardees and sponsored trainees to the Founder and the audience. In his remarks, he reflected on the rigor and transparency of the selection process, assuring that the Foundation remains firmly committed to fairness and a strictly merit-based approach in identifying beneficiaries. He emphasized that the awards are not only a reward for academic excellence but also a testament to the Foundation’s resolve to sustain integrity and credibility in all its activities. 

Goodwill messages were delivered by eminent guests, 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, AKSU), Mr. Gabriel Otu (Director, Information Unit, AKSU), Prof. Trenchard Ibia, Dr. Enyenihi Johnson, and other respected members of the academic community. Also in attendance were board members and trustees of the Jemitim Foundation, including Sir/Lady Ime Inyang, among others.

As part of its broader commitment to youth empowerment, the Foundation also unveiled the first cohort of trainees sponsored for Google Professional Certificates in Digital Skills, namely:

• 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

The event atmosphere was joyful and inspiring, with applause resounding in recognition of the awardees’ brilliance and the Foundation’s initiatives. Board members and supporters of the Foundation were specially appreciated for their tireless contributions to the vision of empowering young women and advancing academic excellence.

Bringing the ceremony to a close, Dr. (Mrs.) Jewel Thomas, a member of the Jemitim Foundation Scholarship Board, delivered the vote of thanks. She expressed profound gratitude to the university administration, distinguished guests, board members, and supporters for gracing the occasion and contributing to its success. She also appreciated the donors and well-wishers whose generosity reinforced the Foundation’s vision, while encouraging the awardees and trainees to justify the investment by striving for greater heights in their academic and personal pursuits.

Since its establishment in January 2024, the Jemitim Foundation has remained committed to uplifting female students through scholarships, sponsorships, and skill development opportunities, thereby fostering education as a tool for empowerment.

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Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – October 2, 2024 

The Jemitim Foundation held its inaugural scholarship award presentation ceremony today at the Auditorium of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ikot Akpaden. The event, attended by university officials, faculty members, students, and esteemed guests, celebrated the achievement of two deserving female students, Miss Edidiong Ekominam Edet and Miss Favour James Mkpayen.

The ceremony commenced with a welcome address from Prof. Mrs. Jemimah Ekanem, the Founder of the Jemitim Foundation, who emphasized the foundation's commitment to promoting academic excellence and supporting female education. She congratulated the winners, who received One Hundred Thousand Naira (₦100,000) each, and highlighted the foundation's mission to empower young women through education.

In a heartfelt speech, the Vice-Chancellor of AKSU announced a donation of ₦50,000 to each scholarship winner, furthering the foundation's goal of providing financial support for their educational endeavors. The event featured good will messages from some of the distinguished  guests in attendance, encouraging the recipients to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits.

As part of the ceremony, the Jemitim Foundation also recognized its board members and supporters for their dedication and contributions to the success of the scholarship program. The atmosphere was filled with joy and inspiration, with attendees applauding the winners' achievements and the foundation's efforts to uplift young women  who demonstrate academic excellence.

The Jemitim Foundation, established in January 2024, aims to sustain academic excellence among students and provide scholarships to deserving individuals, particularly women, to foster girl-child education. The foundation looks forward to continuing its work and expanding its impact in the future.

View the ceremony in picture!