[This is the Full essay from our winner at our Nigeria@57 essay contest ,a means of addressing the issue of secession in Nigeria and giving back to the society the little way we can, plus celebrating Nigeria@57 Independence day celebration , the giant of Africa

All the essays from our Top 5 contestants has bad been published on www[dot]afriwriters[dot]com .
(Note! Non of the essays was edited by us to enable you read as received )

Read below the essay from our winner and find others in our co-operate website.




NAME:EZEKWE,CYPRIAN ONYEDIKA.
PHONE NO:08106794977.
LOCATION:ANAMBRA STATE.
ESSAY TOPIC:

SECESSION OR ONE NIGERIA.

lets all work together towards having a buoyant Nigeria and living as one


INTRODUCTION.


It's no new or unfamiliar mantra that Nigeria is the giant of Africa owing to her population and we are not ready to lose that fame yet.
According to Nelson Mandela,"the world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. The black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and confidence". Now,with our agitations for secession, how do the world respect Africa and how do the black people of the world become great?

According to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary,"secession" is the fact of an area or group becoming independent from the country or larger group that it belongs to.
Wikipedia posits that "secession" is the withdrawal of a group from a larger entity especially a political entity,but also any organization, union or military alliance. In the context of my essay,one Nigeria in which i stand is one i can term the Nigeria of my dream. A Nigeria:where the citizens rights,lives and properties are respected and protected which is the first and foremost responsibility of a government,where basic amenities,good roads,quality and affordable education,employment opportunities and youth empowerment will be in existence in all geopolitical
zones,where marginalization and fraud become history,where public offices will be merited and not based on nepotism which will make public officers responsible for their acts,where true democracy will be practiced and above all, a Nigeria where the aphorism that we are the leaders of tomorrow will actually refer to us,the youths and not the aged.
However, there have been agitations for secession by a group who feel marginalized but the truth of the matter is that we have had a plethora of reasons to be proud of Nigeria which i wouldn't list here so as to maintain the essay length. We are geographically blessed with resources and we are industrious, brilliant and accommodating,our land being a land of opportunities and possibilities and our agriculture potential will make us the envy of many developed nations in the nearest future. It's noteworthy that we flashback to 2011 when the Uk government described Nigeria as the world's fourth fastest growing economy with solid growth expected in the near future. Our youth is a powerful force that can be used and if empowered, will drive Nigeria to this solid growth. With our agitations for secession,how do we attain those heights they suppose for us? They are far but they believed in us and Les Brown made it clear that"sometimes you have to believe in someone's belief in you,until your belief kicks in",so it's just the propitious time we aroused our dogged,happy and resilient norms,restructure our country and live as one.
More so, our Nigeria today might be dwindling in recession as a result of poor governance in the past and present years but for the glory and fame we have garnered and the ones we will lose when we secede,its enough reason to rule out secession as many countries that believed in us will be disappointed. Our founding fathers fought colonialism with great ardour and their struggles brought the free Federal Republic of Nigeria on a day like this. So why start those struggles afresh in the disguise of secession? Will our founding fathers ever forgive us if we do so? We are blessed in all ramifications and have garnered glories which we can't dare to share or lose now.
Penultimately,if my essay be read to(by) many,i wish to address these few words of Albert Einstein to the agitators,he said "To be Yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment". Now,and i wish to ask,is secession worth it? The answer is an obvious no but to restructure our country and remain one will pay off tremendously in the long run. Some will ask,but when will these dreams come true? That's not the issue,the issue is to be at peace and harmony as one and the dreams will surely come true when it comes true.
As we celebrate our flag and independence at 57,let us do so towards the greater joys,glories and benefits we will enjoy as one Nigeria and work tirelessly and relentlessly towards having and keeping our country at its best position as to the rest of the world. The struggles,to many might not worth it but for the garnered and yet-to-be garnered glories as one Nigeria, lets all work together towards having a buoyant Nigeria and living as one.

Click here to follow our winner on Facebook :

https://web.facebook.com/ezekwe.onyedikachukwu


Source : http://www.afriwriters.com

http://www.afriwriters.com

All 2018 Applicants For Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at Michigan State University are to note that the institution has no room for undergraduates for the scholarship offer.Only Masters applicants are welcome at the moment.

Read below the excerpt from their 2018 application notice.

Mastercard Foundation is partnering with Michigan State University to offer 100% free Undergraduate and Post-graduate scholarship to Africa students who are from economically disadvantaged communities but could not continue as a result of poor family background.

Brief description : The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Programme(MCFSP) for African students is now open for candidates who wants to apply at Michigan State University(MSU),USA for 2018/2019 academic year

Eligibility and criteria:

Candidates who are applying for this scholarship MUST meet up with the following criteria;

Undergraduates:
NOTE ! : MSU is not currently recruiting candidates for Undergraduate MCF offer .We shall update you if there is any change in future
*Must be a resident and a citizen of sub-Saharan Africa
*Must have strong academic performance
*Must demonstrate interest and capacity for voluntary services and school/community activities
*Must posses leadership potential
*Will be willing to cope with change and have interest foreign countries and culture
*Must be financially unstable and from lowest income bracket in country of origin
*Must be willing to return to serve their home country and enhance economic growth and social development at the end of the program
* Must have successfully completed their secondary education with good grades
*Transfer students are not eligible

Graduates:

*Must be a resident and a citizen of sub-Saharan Africa
*Must have strong academic performance
*Must demonstrate interest and capacity for voluntary services and school/community activities
*Must posses leadership potential
*Will be willing to cope with change and have interest foreign countries and culture
*Must be financially unstable and from lowest income bracket in country of origin
*Must be willing to return to serve their home country and enhance economic growth and social development at the end of the program
*Must have completed their bachelor's degree from an African university with academic achievements suggestive of a continued academic success
*Transfer students are not eligible

Benefits:Financialsupports,books,supplies,transportation,accomodation,stipends,skills training,giving back component,Alumni network etc.

Duration:Full number of years as according to course duration

Application deadline:-
Candidates must submit application before the following deadlines;
Undergraduates - Not yet fixed


Graduates- February 1, 2018

Scholarship worth- 100%

Eligible countries- African countries

Scholarship offered since: 2012

Type of scholarship: Both undergraduate and Masters programme

Number of scholarship spaces: Not specified

Eligible Field of study: All courses offered at Michigan State University

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at MSU,


http://mcfscholarshipupdates..com/2017/03/how-to-apply-for-20182019-mastercard.html

http://mcfscholarshipupdates..com/2017/03/how-to-apply-for-20182019-mastercard.html

450 Undergraduate Africans To Benefit From $24.2 million (USD) Mastercard Foundation Scholarship At Queens University & University Of Gondar ,Both In Ethiopia

While most go to the Agnes Etherington Art Center to praise workmanship, visitors accumulated there this Wednesday to commend the joint effort amongst Queen's and the University of Gondar. After arriving, visitors

were met with the sound of bagpipes and the fragrance of crisp Ethiopian espresso.

In January, the University reported they had gotten a concede from the Mastercard Foundation's Scholars Program esteemed at $24.2 million (USD) to partner with U of G to propel instruction and research opportunities for African understudies.

Through the span of their 10-year partnership, Queen's will have 60 U of G employees on grounds. The objective of the joint effort is to improve their instructing and research aptitudes, while additionally building up Ethiopia's first undergraduate word related treatment program.

In her deliver to the group, Kim Kerr, Deputy Director of Education and Learning for Mastercard Foundation, said that Queen's and U of G are presently two of 28 university and NGO partners who are working perseveringly to change advanced education in Africa.

The partnership will bolster 450 African understudies' instruction, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, and will particularly concentrate on comprehensive training for youngsters with disabilities.

"There are more than 80 million individuals crosswise over Africa that are living with disabilities, and these young fellows and ladies merit a comprehensive instruction that is intended to address their issues," Kerr told the group on Wednesday.

"[This partnership] will address a portion of the numerous hindrances at the group level that keep youngsters from getting to quality training and understanding their maximum capacity," she proceeded.

http://mcfscholarshipupdates..com.ng/2017/09/450-undergraduate-africans-to-benefit.html


http://mcfscholarshipupdates..com.ng/2017/09/450-undergraduate-africans-to-benefit.html

Do You Know That You Can Get A Loan To Study In The United States Of America

Studying in the United States of America (USA) can be highly difficult to afford in terms of finance.Most at times, there are usually scholarship opportunities, grants and other financial AIDs to help you cater for the cost of tuition, housing or accommodation,Feeding,Books,etc.However, there are certain conditions that may hinder you the opportunity of having access to all these.

Do not panic.Getting a student loan can be a better alternative for you if you are the type that knows how to manage given resource.

In the United States, once you are 18 years old, or once you graduate from High School and set to enter college or university, you will no longer depend on your parents for most of the things you do.You will be responsible for providing your Tuition/School fees and the rest of them.

If you are unable to get a scholarship, getting a loan can be another option for you.US student loans usually cover cost of tuition, accommodation,books and other things you need to do with money.Then, while you are in campus, you will find an odd job and start working.You work and study.While working, you may decide to be paying back your loan little by little or you may decide to make it a deferred payment, where you are given an option to make your payment after you had graduated from school.

Formerly, getting a student loan in the United States is only possible for US citizens but recently, we discovered that International students are now eligible for a loan offer.

Why getting a Student loan

As a matter of fact, we all know that Studying overseas/abroad, especially in the United States US, is usually costly, and many students struggle to fund their international studies. Scholarships and grants are available, but they are very competitive and hardly cover all of your expenses. Student loans can cover up to the total cost or amount of attendance, as determined by your institution, excluding any other aid received.Below are just a few of the costs your international student loan will cover:
Tuition Fee
Rooms and boards (Accommodation/Housing)
Books and supplies
Travel and transportation(Flight ticket fees)
Health insurance
Living expenses
Even if you already have been awarded financial aid, you may find that you are still coming up short. In cases like these, international student loans can cover the difference – or they may cover the total cost of your education.


International student loans provide a convenient way for students to borrow money and fund their education. Students – and their cosigners – will be expected to pay back the total amount of money borrowed plus an additional cost (determined by your interest rate). You and your cosigner should be aware of the terms and conditions to ensure that you have ability to pay back your loan timely


Who Is A Cosigner ?

A cosigner is a person who is legally-binding on a loan application to pay the outstanding debt in case the applicant is unable to pay. Almost all loans for non-US citizens and most US students are required to have a cosigner to secure a loan.


Qualifications Of A Cosigner?

Your cosigner must be a US citizen or US permanent resident with good credit who has lived in the US for the past 2 years. Finding the right cosigner can improve the likelihood of approval and can decrease your interest rate.


Your cosigner should have a steady income, a stable job, and an established credit history. Some lenders will look at how long your cosigner has lived at their current address and how long they've been employed at their current job.


Since the cosigner is taking on the obligation to pay back loans in case the borrower cannot, it's important that the cosigner can afford to cover these expenses. International student loans and study abroad loans will look at the total income of your cosigner and their total debts (mortgage, car payments, credit card debt, and any student loans they may have on their own).


In the United States, credit history is evaluated by a credit score that is based on outstanding debts and payment history. Lenders evaluate your cosigners existing and past loans looking to see whether they were paid on time.


Some International Student Loan Companies

1. MPower Financing :- Features are:

No co-signer required
No collateral required
Interest rates from 7.99% to 13.99%
10-year loans with no pre-payment penalties
Fast online application process
Career strategy services

Their mission is to remove financial barriers to higher education in the U.S. To accomplish this mission, MPOWER works with investors and universities to lend to high-potential students who are left out by traditional banks. In addition to providing students with access to the financial resources necessary to attend and complete college, MPOWER builds students’ credit histories, provides them with personal finance education, and offers gateway financial products to prepare them for life after college.


2. Discover Student Loans :- Features are ; -

Cover up to 100% of your school-certified costs with a great rate. Cash rewards for good grades. Simple application-you could get a response in minutes.

Other highlights on Discover loans include:
• Rewards for good grades
• Cover up to 100% of school-certified college and graduate school costs
• Zero fees
• Choose between in-school or deferred repayment options


3.Citizens Bank :- Features are ;-

Your choice of a fixed or variable interest rate
Flexible repayment options
No application, origination or disbursement fees
This application can be done right online by both international and US students.

Citizens Bank offers both US and international students the TruFit Student Loan. All international students will need a creditworthy cosigner who is a US citizen or permanent resident. We recommend that all US students have a cosigner to increase the likelihood of getting approved.




Here Are The Top 10 Student Loan Companies For US Citizens As Compiled By Simpletuition.Com



1. SoFi
SoFi (proper name Social Finance, Inc.) takes a page out of Facebook by combining social media with student loans. It puts students and recent graduates in touch with investors via “school-specific student loan funds,” a process that is known as peer-to-peer lending. SoFi has funded over $5 billion in loans to date and just secured $1 billion in series E funding in late September 2015.
Reporting on SoFi in its first year of business, The Wall Street Journal explains that SoFi works as an “online loan marketplace,” bringing borrowers and student loan providers together and imposing a fee on the loan. Dissatisfaction with “traditional lending,” which has seen the amount of student debt in the United States pass $1 trillion, may place SoFi at the forefront of a new frontier in student loans.
2. Sallie Mae
There is probably no bigger name in the student loan industry than Sallie Mae. Originally known as the Student Loan Marketing Association, Sallie Mae oversees more than $180 billion of debt from over 10 million borrowers. It is the largest student loan provider in the country, and as such, has weathered numerous controversies (ranging from questioning its power as both a lender and a collector and allegedly engaging in deceptive lending practices, the latter case leading Sallie Mae to donate $2 million to a fund that educates potential college students about their student loan options). Nonetheless, Sallie Mae remains the first stop for millions of students and their families as they embark on the process of financing college. In March 2014, the company announced that its customers were more successful in repaying their loans compared to national data provided by the Department of Education.
3. Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank is one of the largest banks in the United States, and thus one of the largest providers of student loans in the country. As such, it offers both private and federal loans for both undergraduate and graduate students. In 2014, the bank introduced a refinancing program that allows borrowers to consolidate their private loans, citing a need to offer a “complete” program to customers whose circumstances change from the time they enroll in school to when they get their first job after graduation.
4. Wells Fargo
As another leading American bank, Wells Fargo also offers to service student loans for graduates and undergraduates. The Charlotte Observer reports that the bank’s portfolio for private student loans grew by 6 percent in 2013, putting it behind only Sallie Mae as the largest provider for student loans in the country. With Discover Bank, Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo are responsible for 75 percent of the private student loans in the United States.
5. Discover Student Loans
Discover sets itself apart from other loan servicers in two ways: it rewards graduates (who select variable rate loans when applying for the loan) for good grades (in the form of a check), and it does not offer an option for borrowers to consolidate their loans. There are no fees for early payment and the competitive fixed and variable interest rates make it a popular choice for students and their families.
6. SunTrust
SunTrust offers its borrowers variable and fixed interest on private student loans, and charges no origination fees (which some lenders charge upon entering into a loan agreement to cover the cost of processing the loan). SunTrust offers a graduation incentive – 1 percent off your principal if you graduate. Like many other private student loan servicers, SunTrust does not do consolidation of loans (Investopedia reports that this program was suspended), but offers competitive rates to make it a strong contender in the student loan provider arena.




Source [ http://www.usacollegedream.us/2017/09/do-you-know-that-you-can-get-loan-to.html ]

http://www.usacollegedream.us/2017/09/do-you-know-that-you-can-get-loan-to.html