Universal Ventures Sierra Leone Awards 235 Student Scholarship

As part of its corporate social responsibility, The Universal Ventures- a construction and drawing and designing company - last Saturday awarded scholarships worth millions of leones to some two hundred and thirty-five (235) pupils in Lunsar and Port Loko respectively.

The ceremony,held at the town hall in Lunsar, was witnessed by a host of dignitaries, including the Paramount Chief of Marampa Chiefdom, Bai Koblo Queen II and Principal of Port Loko Teachers' College, Ibrahim Bangura. The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of packages to twenty-seven teachers for their outstanding long service.

There was smile on the faces of parents and guardians as they watched their children receive their packages which included school fees, extra charges, as well as uniforms for the 2013/2014 academic year.

Chief Executive Officer ofUniversal Ventures, Engineer Prince Sinoh Allieu, stated that his decision to award the scholarships was to support those pupils whose parents or guardians cannot afford to pay for their schooling, adding: "This is the first but I will continue with it. I am focusing on education to add value to the children of Marampa Chiefdom in Lunsar and those in Port Loko for the future."

He explained that the company was founded in 1998 while he was a student at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and that they have been successfully carrying out their operations all over the country for the past 14 years with the designing of plans and construction work.

He urged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity offered to them by performing well in school so that others will benefit in the future.

Paramount Chief Koblo Queen II commended the company for their timely support to the less fortunate children and assured them of his support at all times to ensure success in what they do.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to work hard in school in order to benefit from next academic year's package, and the company to consider increasing on the number of recipients.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Principal of Port Loko Teachers' College, Ibrahim Bangura, lauded the company for its goodwill gesture. "We are happy as a ministry for your assistance. We are also looking forward to people and companies like you to assist us where we are yet to reach."

Representatives from the beneficiary schools lauded the assistance from the company and promised to provide them with the support needed to achieve their aims and objectives.

Schools that benefited from the scholarship include Maria Ines Junior Secondary School, Stefani Memorial Junior Secondary School and Guadalupe Secondary School, among others.