Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) announces her 2014 essay competition for undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The objectives of the competition are:
Increase awareness on broadband development in Nigeria
Engage and enhance research skills
Encourage competition and academic excellence
Build capacity of undergraduates.


ELIGIBILITY: Open to ALL undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions (both private and public).

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

Theme: BROADBAND: A CATALYST FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Undergraduates will submit essays of not more than 2500 words
Essays must have an Abstract, Introduction, Main body and Conclusion
Essays must have references
Participants must sign an undertaking stating the originality of their essays
Winning essays will be selected based on content, grammar and style
Participants are expected to register their personal details and signed authentication as genuine Nigerian undergraduates.


PRIZE:
First Prize: N500, 000 cash prize, Laptop and Printer
Second Prize: N300, 000 cash prize
Third Prize: N200, 000 cash prize
Consolation prizes for the participants that made the first ten list.

More details here: https://m.facebook.com/nigerian.communications.commission/photos/a.430328527048398.1073741825.161066787307908/733470580067523/?type=1&source=46&refid=17

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: IBM recently opened the doors of its 12th global research lab and first in Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. The new laboratory employs some of the biggest brains to develop solutions to Africa's grand challenges and to drive innovation in Africa, for Africa and the world.
To celebrate the launch and to recognise the talent and ideas of people across Africa, IBM has teamed with iHub, A24Media and independent photographer Mutua Matheka to organise “The World is Our Lab” photo competition.
Aimed at photographers of all abilities, the contest aims to capture Africa through its numerouschallenges and opportunities through your lenses. Whether you use a camera phone or professional camera, capture and render original images that best define one or more of the following three categories:
African Grand Challenges
African City Systems
African Innovation

ELIGIBILITY:
Participants must have the ownership rights to the entries they submit and warrant by submission that they hold these rights.
While the competition is open to IBM employees and contractors, they will not be eligible for prizes.
To be eligible for prizes, participants must reside in Africa, have a valid passport and be available to travel to Nairobi, Kenya for 8 days before February 28th 2014.


PRIZE:
The winners of each category will be selected to receive the grand prizes for each category which include:
1 Lenovo T440 laptop with photo-editing software.
A 3 day trip to Nairobi from any African capital city with full-board accommodation at the stunning Hemmingways Nairobi. Trip to include economy-class return flight to Nairobi, full-board accommodation for 3 nights and ground transportation in Nairobi.
In the event that a resident of Kenya is a top entry then they will receive a 3-day trip for two people to the beautiful Hemingways Hotel Watamu instead of the trip to Nairobi.
IBM will provide any necessary written invitations for the winners to apply for a visa to enter Kenya.
Winners to make any necessary visa applications in their own time and at their own expense.
No alternative cash prizes are available.
Winners selected to travel to Nairobi will act as IBM photographer for the day should agree to provide IBM, free of any additional charge, a selection of at least 50 images documenting IBM Research – Africa. The photographers agree to pass the ownership rights of these photos to IBM in exchange for the competition prizes.

DEADLINE: January 31, 2014

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/12/ibms-world-is-our-lab-photo-competition.html

The 2013-2014 Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development Master of Science (MSc) Fellowship Programme

The Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), on behalf of the Government of Hungary, has established a Fellowships programme for Master of Science (MSc) degrees for students originating from and residing in the below-listed countries. For the 2014-15 academic year, the following courses will be offered in English language:
Agricultural Sciences
Horticulture
Rural development and agribusiness

The Fellowship will cover tuition, books, and subsistence costs for the entire duration of the course. The awarded students however will be responsible for financing their travel to and from Hungary. Family members cannot be supported in any way under the framework of the Fellowships programme.

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/12/the-2013-2014-hungarian-ministry-of.html

Located in the Ojo local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria, Alaba International Market is the self-acclaimed largest market in West Africa and the home of electronics in Nigeria. The market spans from the Chemist bus-stop to the Corner bus-stop. Alaba International Market is dominated by “Igbo traders” while traders from other tribes make up a very small percentage. The major goods sold at the market include but not limited to mobile telephones, musical instruments, office equipment, household appliances and electric wires. If I am not mistaken, nearly all the banks in Nigeria have a branch in the market and that is where traders mainly deposit and withdraw their cash. Some bank transactions can be funny at times because a trader may deposit a certain amount in the morning and withdraw that same amount in the evening. I guess it’s a trader’s way of safeguarding his money. The worst time to use a bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in the market is on Fridays while the best time is on Sundays (when the banks are shut). Even with that, don’t ever try using an ATM because, most times, 80% of the ATMs are non-functional; they are always “out-of-service”. The most spoken languages are pidgin-English and Igbo language. The average age of a trader can be estimated at 27. The market is home to lots of “wheelbarrow pushers” mainly Hausas (who are popularly called “Abokis”) who help convey goods for both buyers and sellers. There are also hawkers who deal on sachet water or “pure water” (most sold commodity), liquid beverages and sausages. Pastors openly pray for some traders in the mornings and do their normal evangelism in the afternoons, disturbing the already disturbed market. One thing common among most traders is the presence of a sales girl(s) in their shops. The traders employ mostly beautiful ladies to help attract customers to their shops. However, many a times, these sales girls are sexually assaulted by their bosses. For the sales girls, it’s either you comply or you quit your job. Though the market has been of economic importance to Nigerians especially those living in Lagos and its environs, there are however, many problems that need to be fixed as soon as possible.

To start with, the road that leads into the market is very deplorable. The road is filled with huge pot-holes and is usually not motorable when it rains. A market of that standard ought to have a good road since many Nigerians and foreigners including Japanese and Chinese nationals patronize the market a lot. In addition to bad roads, there is no garage for either commercial or private use hence it is not uncommon to find cars and buses parked indiscriminately along the road. Private vehicles are usually packed on both sides of the road thus making the road less convenient for road users. Some traders, who deal on used clothes popularly called “Okirika” in Nigeria, display their wares on these parked vehicles. Most of these vehicles are parked from the early morning hours to around 5.00pm when the market closes thus guaranteeing on a long term basis, an illegal space for traders to display their wares. Towards evenings or even in the afternoons, petit-traders infiltrate the market selling goods like plantains, fresh tomatoes, fruits, vegetables, yams, potatoes and other commodities by the roadside thus worsening the traffic situation and making the market look like a mess. Another major problem of the market is the indiscriminate way commercial vehicles stop to pick up passengers or convey goods. These commercial buses can block the flow of traffic just to pick up passengers; this is a major cause of traffic congestion in the market. Suffice to note that there are bus-stops but these bus-stops have been taken over by petit-traders who use these bus-stops as their shops. The presence of “area boys” (popularly called “Agberos”) on the road do not help matters as they further congest traffic through their illegal collection of money from commercial buses. On a different note, I still don’t know why we should have touts on our roads, the situation is really appalling. Another factor that contributes to traffic congestion is the malevolent ways drivers of long vehicles turn their vehicles. Virtually all long vehicles turn on unauthorized routes and the turning takes time considering that the road is not spacious enough courtesy of illegal parking and petit-traders.
Alaba International Market is connected to another dirty and irritating market, called “Alaba Rago” via a place popularly called “F-line” (known for selling fake and pirated computer software). Crossing over to “Alaba Rago” is done via what Nigerians call “Pako” (wooden bridge) which is mounted by fiercely-looking Hausa men, who are also addressed as “Abokis”. The word “Aboki” is not an insult, it means “my friend” in the Hausa language, so feel free to call your friend an Aboki! To cross this “pako”, you must part with #10 but this charge is higher if you are a wheelbarrow pusher. This extortion sorry collection does not make sense to me. There ought to be a motorable road and not a “pako”! The “pako” is dangerous and people are subjected to harassments from the abokis. The government or cooperate bodies should assist in solving this problem. Alaba International Market is notoriously known for selling fake products. I may not be wrong if I say that 40% of goods sold in the market are fake! Permit me to speak from my personal experience. I once bought a mobile phone at the market, the seller tested the phone in front of me and it worked well only for me to get home and discover that the phone could no longer switch-on. When I opened the phone to see if it was the battery, I surprisingly discovered that the phone was padded with “fufu” (cassava meal). This issue is peculiar to traders who sell mobile phones in “show-glasses”. Those traders that sell mobile phones in shops are also guilty of doing something similar. What they do is remove the original battery of a new phone, replace it with a fake one and sell the original battery at a high price. The best place to buy phones is from authorized dealers of the different phone brands.

The market is known for selling fake and pirated Compact Discs (CDs), Video Compact Discs (VCDs) and Digital Video Discs (DVDs). Depending on your location in the market, you can buy a musical album for as low as #60, which is a far cry from the official price of #150 or more. This is one major reason why Nigerian musicians don’t make money from album sales, their money come mainly from concerts. Same condition applies to the Nigerian film industry also called “Nollywood”, films are sold at a very ridiculous prize. You can buy a film (Part 1 and Part 2) for #100 and even get a DVD compilation of about 6 films for #100! Nigerians prefer the DVD compilation because it is far cheaper and more “economical” even though they know these films are illegal. Sometimes I pity film producers, spending millions on a film only for someone to pirate the film and sell it for #20! It’s crazy! Virtually 90% of films and musical CDs/DVDs sold at the market are fake and pirated. Furthermore, some traders are guilty of displaying pornographic films openly for passersby to see despite the fact that children ply that same route. These sellers can be found on the roadsides especially opposite “F-line” and more notoriously, on the path leading to the “pako” (as mentioned earlier). Public display of these materials indirectly promotes rape and an urge to have sex especially among children and teenagers.

There are also fakes when it comes to home appliances. My mum once bought a fridge and it “worked perfectly” only for a month! Other products with fakes include but not limited to home theaters, DVD players and televisions. What most electronic dealers do is go to a certain Asian country and ask some electronic manufacturers to manufacture sub-standard electronics. When the “goods” arrive Nigeria, the trader manufactures fake labels of a well-known electronic brand and places them on his fake electronics. So you may assume you bought an original product not knowing it’s a totally fake product! Some “mad traders” along the musical instruments/office equipment section disturb the peace of the market by playing music outdoors using speakers loud enough to kill 50 rats. The madness can’t keep going on; there is an urgent need to address these issues. Firstly, traders need to stop every form of perversion and restructure the market. The government should please repair the road, provide garage(s), address the “pako” issue, assist in stopping the menace of fake products and also help re-structure and elevate the market to an international standard. Finally, if you intend visiting the market, always remember to walk fast (or get hit) and watch your pocket (to prevent your valuables from returning to the “original owner”).

Obioha Uchechukwu Ebere
Lagos State, Nigeria
http://idowritestuff..com/2013/12/the-madness-at-alaba-international.html
Twitter: @iam_uchey

Like most youths born in the early 80s, I was born into a very religious family; we attended church services almost every blessed day of the week. Going to church as a child was something worth experiencing. I was very proud to tell my playmates I went to church and that I in fact, dropped money into the offering box. When I became a teenager, the need came for me to join one of the arms of the church. My parents were on my neck so I had to do something real fast to prevent “parental beating”. I couldn’t join the “ushering department” because I was way too shy to talk to people, either could I join the “choir” since I had and still have a bad voice. After much thought I settled for the “instrument” department since I had this flair for the bass guitar. I stayed there for a very short time because my parents changed church and began fellowshipping in a “micro-mini” church. We had just 5 members and each service day was as boring as listening to my ex-girlfriend. When I was 15, I began evaluating my actions as it relates to the church and religion in general. I found some loopholes but could not talk since they said “the ways of God are not the ways of man”. When I got into the university, I never wanted to attend any church but my friend cajoled me into attending his church. My first time at the church was quite interesting and I started attending on a regular basis but I was unease at the ways activities were carried out there. In my final year, I reluctantly joined the church’s “Final Year Forum”. We were asked by the pastor, to pay #6,000 for a “church project” not minding the fact that some of us had little or no money to finish our projects. The church project stuff turned me off and I stopped attending the church. Even before this “church project” palaver, the pastor had been telling his members that the church needed money to build a branch outside of the school environment. People were contributing (I contributed), only for me to see the pastor’s wife with a new car on a Sunday service! Like seriously? You need to build a church for God which you claim is urgent but on the other hand, you bought a new car. Are you not contradicting yourself? That apart, let’s go deeper…
Some people claim they are Christians, they worship at their different churches, and these churches have their own doctrines that most times, contradict each other. For instance, some churches permit ladies to wear trousers while others don’t, some permit the use of musical instruments while others don’t and among others. All these so-called doctrines create divisions within the Christian faith. For example, it is very rare for a Catholic Christian to marry a Pentecostal Christian. Why create all these divisions when you all claim you worship one God? Furthermore, it is now becoming a norm for every church in Nigeria to have its own university. I am not against that, what I am against is the high tuition fees these “church schools” charge. Some schools charge as high as #500,000 per session making it extremely difficult for the average church member (who contributed his money towards the building of the school) to send his children to the school. So I ask, of what benefit is this university to the average church member? These pastors collect money from almost all their church members to build a university but at the end, only the rich members can send their children to the school. Also, Nigerian pastors now have private jets, some even have 2, they say it makes evangelism faster. This is simply fallacious to me because you can do your so-called evangelism in a commercial plane. I believe that the primary aim of a pastor is to serve humanity, you can’t be buying a private worth over $20 million when 60% of Nigerians live on less than $1 a day! What kind of message are you passing to your members and Nigerians in general? Nigerians are castigating their leaders for squandering the country’s wealth and living a life of affluence, but the other hand, their pastors are buying exotic cars and living like the corrupt leaders. Most pastors are more corrupt than our leaders and that’s why they find it hard exposing corrupt leaders. I only respect Pastor Tunde Bakare when it comes to pastors speaking against corrupt leaders.
In the Bible, there are lots of grey areas. The Adam and eve story is an example. Nobody can categorically state what Eve gave to Adam to eat. Some claim it was sex, others claim it was just an apple while another group claims something different. Have you ever asked yourself why your pastor says women should not wear trousers? Does the reason(s) make sense to you? It was a person who made this rule in the first place, hence there are bound to be mistakes. Provided a woman wears it well, I don’t see anything wrong with a woman wearing trousers and if I may ask, who ever said trousers were meant ONLY for men? Is it in the Bible? Catholic priests don’t get married just because of a verse in the bible that can be interpreted in different ways. These priests in a bid to satisfy their sexual urge end up molesting young boys and girls worshiping in their church.
On the other side of religion is Islam. Islam indirectly supports child marriage, a man can marry a 13 year old provided she is mature and has given her consent. To them, 18 years/21 years, is not the age of maturity as it concerns marriage, you can be matured at 13 years or even 12 years. Whoever must have written or permitted this in Islam must be a selfish person. A girl of 13 years can never be matured enough for marriage and would not be able to decide on marriage especially when her poor parents are on her neck and the prospective suitor is rich. Also, in Islam, parents are allowed to “throw” their babies to the streets without any sort of parental care. These children grow on the streets and are exposed to the bad sides of life and in most cases they end up being used as tools of violence. Furthermore, in Islam, women in general, have to play second fiddle to their husbands, for example, in their worship places, women are separated from men for no just genuine reason. Another funny doctrine is forcing some gullible married women into covering their faces with veils. Please, what is the significance of this? This religion supports the giving of alms to the poor which is something I appreciate but in Nigeria, this has been bastardized as many followers prefer to live off the alms people give to them than working.
The average Nigerian is either a Christian or Muslim yet corruption is at its peak in the country or is it that their religion supports corruption or their religion isn’t having any positive impact on their lives? My problem with religious people is that they follow their leaders stupidly! They fail to understand what their religion really preaches and more importantly, solve loopholes associated with their religion. Men wrote the Holy Bible and Quran and hence, there are bound to be mistakes, it is only reasonable that you correct these mistakes instead of just following religion foolishly. To me, religious people are in sort of bondage, they just follow their leaders stupidly even when they are preaching trash. One thing to note is that being religious does not necessarily mean you have a good heart else Nigeria would have been less corrupt. If you want to pursue religion, pursue it wisely!

http://idowritestuff..com/2013/11/my-problem-with-religion-part-1.html

Obioha Uchechukwu Ebere
Lagos, Nigeria.

YouWiN! 3 for Young Nigerians is Now Open!

YouWiN! stands for Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria. It is an innovative business plan competition aimed at job creation by encouraging and supporting aspiring entrepreneurial youth in Nigeria to develop and execute business ideas. The accomplishments of the 1,200 YouWiN! awardees were celebrated at the Presidential Villa on April 12, 2012. YouWiN! Women was the second edition of the entrepreneurial scheme, which was designed for only female entrepreneurs aged 45 years or less. YouWiN! 3 is the third edition and will feature men and women entrepreneurs in Nigeria between the ages of 18 to 45.

Read more: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/11/youwin-3-for-young-nigerians-is-now-open.html

Earn a UNICAF scholarship and pay ONLY 2025 Euro for the MBA

The UNICAF Scholarship Programme was founded to offer gifted underprivileged students from Africa the opportunity of furthering their education by studying towards a University of Nicosia distance learning degree.
The UNICAF Scholarship Programme is one of the most generous scholarship programmes available for African students and provides opportunities for studies towards the distance learning MBA programme of the University of Nicosia at a fraction of the cost. The normal fees for the MBA are €10,025 out of which UNICAF subsidises the €8,000. Students that qualify and are studying towards the distance learning MBA will therefore pay ONLY €2025*.
For the last two decades the University of Nicosia has been offering partial scholarships to international students. The vast majority of these students were able to make a significant contribution to their home countries and in many cases at the highest level.

Read more: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/11/earn-unicaf-scholarship-and-pay-only.html

85 scholarships for under- and post-graduate studies in Romania, by means of selection of application files organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) and the Ministry of National Education (MEN), in keeping with Romanian current legislation.

ELIGIBILITY: Citizens of non EU countries (irrespective of their country of residence). Priority is given to citizens from non EU states with which Romania does not have cultural and education cooperation agreements. Mention should be made that foreign citizens of Romanian origin and those belonging to the neighbouring historic Romanian communities benefit from other scholarship programmes offered by the Romanian state..

The scholarship consists of:


free-of-charge tuition,
free-of-charge accommodation (depending on availability, accommodation will be offered free-of-charge in students hostels, in keeping with the higher education regulations),
financial support - a monthly amount representing :
the equivalent in Romanian currency of 65 EURO per month, for the under-graduate students (1st cycle),
the equivalent in Romanian currency of 75 EURO per month, for post-graduate students (master degrees and specialization) 2nd cycle,
the equivalent in Romanian currency of 85 EURO per month, for post graduate students (doctor’s degree) 3rd cycle.

These scholarships do not cover food, international and local transport. The candidates must be prepared to support personally any other additional expenses.
Calendar of financial support:
The monthly amount mentioned above is granted to the students of the 1st (licenta) and 2nd (master) cycle throughout the whole academic year, the winter and spring vacation included, but not during the summer vacation.
For full-time students of the 3rd cycle (doctorate), the monthly amount is granted throughout the whole calendar year.
Important for all scholarship holders (under- and post-graduate): The scholarships will be suspended if the student in any education cycle repeats a year due to poor results. It may be resumed in the following academic year, after the student has successfully graduated the repeated year. The students who repeat an academic year must pay the full study fees and accomodation. The number of scholarship years will not be bigger than the respective education cycle.

To get all necessary information about the scholarships (conditions, necessary documents, enrolment calendar) and to submit their application files, the candidates should apply directly to :

the Romanian diplomatic missions accredited to the candidate’s country of origin or of residence or to
the diplomatic mission of candidate’s state of origin accredited to Bucharest

Application files submitted by post or directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) or to the Ministry of National Education (MEN), as well as application files received after the announced deadline will not be taken into consideration.
Applications files should contain documents in English or French language.
If the application files contain documents in other foreign languages than English or French, they must be accompanied by authorized translations in one of the following languages: Romanian, English or French. Generally, Romanian universities may require that all enrolment documents should be accompanied by authorized copies and authorized translations in Romanian.
It is of utmost importance to fill in correctly all forms.

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/11/the-2014-government-of-romania.html

Giffoni Experience is inviting the International community of youth, artists and designers to participate in a contest to create the artwork for the 44th edition Giffoni Film Festival.

After the success of the first edition of the contest (700 participants from 28 countries), which saw the triumph of András Baranyai, a hungarian artist, Giffoni continues to involve his audience in the creation of the program.
The competition is open to artists who are at least 16 years of age who have studied graphic design, visual communication subjects, graphic designers, artists, experts in visual communication or any other individual/group simply passionate about the afore mentioned subjects.
The competition is open to individual artists or groups. In the latter case the group must select a representative whose name shall be indicated in the submission form. The person indicated will liase with the organizers in case their opus is chosen as the poster
A jury of experts composed of graphic designers and illustrators alongside the artistic direction of the Festival will select the winner who shall receive a cash prize of 2.000 Euro and hospitality in Giffoni Valle Piana for 3 days to participate in the events of the 44th edition of the festival.

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/10/giffoni-film-festival-2014-artwork.html

As part of efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda, the Federal Government of Nigeria plans to develop a critical mass of professionals who would serve as catalysts of change and agents of scientific and technological advancement, as well as sustainable economic development. This would be achieved through the sponsorship of outstanding students for postgraduate studies in the top 25 universities in the world. To this end, the Federal Government has instituted the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development.
The PRESSID Implementation Committee now invites applications from qualified candidates for the second edition of the scheme (2014/2015 academic session).

ELIGIBILITY: Interested candidates should:

be graduates from the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 academic sessions, who would have completed their National Youth Service by October 2013;
have obtained First Class Honours degree from any recognised and approved University in the following disciplines and aim at postgraduate degrees in the specified and allied disciplines:

Sciences: Nuclear Physics, Operations Research, Industrial Chemistry, Quantitative Genetics, etc
Basic Medical Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, etc;
Special Aspects of Biology: Biometrics, Molecular Biology, etc;
Economics: Econometrics, Development Economics, etc;
Engineering & Technology: Aeronautical Engineering, Mechatronics, Metallurgy, Material Science and Production Engineering, Nanotechnology, Cyber-Security, Software Engineering, etc;
Medicine: Oncology, Human Genetics, Hepatology, Nuclear Medicine, Geriatrics, etc;

Click here to view the list of top 25 universities in the world. You are advised to cross check with the courses offered by your preferred institution before completing your application.

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/10/201415-presidential-special-scholarship.html

My name is Obioha Uchechukwu Ebere, I entered for the European Development Days Video Competition, my video has been nominated but I need your votes to succeed. In the video, I explained how to end extreme poverty in 2030. I will grateful if you can vote for me by clicking on the below link.

God bless


http://woobox.com/xc5a3k/vote/for/1381230

My name is Obioha Uchechukwu Ebere, I entered for the European Development Days Video Competition, my video has been nominated but I need your votes to succeed. I will grateful if you can vote for me by clicking on the below link.

God bless


http://woobox.com/xc5a3k/vote/for/1381230

Do you want to be Nigeria’s next celebrity photographer?

Signature Studio presents Nigeria’s Next Celebrity Photographer, an online based quarterly photography contest in a class of its own, it is simply a game of pictures and the stories they tell. Pictures taken by everyday Nigerians on the street, in the bus, at home, work, shopping and playing.


ELIGIBILITY: Anyone with a camera phone, an iPad and a camera can participate.

PRIZE:

1st (Grand Prize) – Brand New KIA RIO (2012) edition
2nd prize – Holiday trip DUBIA for 3 days
3rd prize – Apple MacBook Laptop

HOW TO APPLY: Interested participants are required to register their pictures at www.signaturestudios.com.ng and then the public will vote for their preferred picture.
Each registration costs N 500. The more pictures uploaded the more the chances of winning.
Eight contestants with the highest number of votes will emerge and be lounged for two weeks at the Protea Hotel Apo, Abuja, where they will be assigned various photography tasks, to be held in December.

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/09/nigerias-next-celebrity-photographer.html

The Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE) program is for undergraduate and higher degree studies only. All scholarships are awarded based on merit, using the information provided in the form, supporting documents and a screening test. The Mankind United To Support Total Education is a Scholarship arm of Youth Empowerment and ICT Foundation; it was registered with the corporate affairs commission in Abuja Nigeria on the 17th of November 2003. It is founded and funded by Mr. Jim Ovia in the year 1998, to provide financial aid to outstanding Nigeria youths.
The awardees are given funding for undergraduate study for the duration of the undergraduate program. The award includes tuition and maintaince allowance. The scheme offers an average of 100 opportunities every year. The Financial records show that as at October 2010, Mr. Ovia has invested N98, 220,000 in the program on one thousand, four hundred and thirty-nine beneficiaries.

All Nigerian youth are eligible for the scholarship. In the first ten years of the program, 1439 youths from all cross Nigeria have been awarded scholarship. About one hundred awardees are selected each year from a pool of four hundred applicants. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of personal intellectual ability, leadership capability and a desire to use their knowledge to contribute to society throughout Nigeria by providing service to their community and applying their talent and knowledge to improve the lives of others

The MUSTE Scholarship provides bursary to cover the cost of completing an undergraduate or higher degree program that is within 3 – 6 years. It is also subject to satisfactory academic performance in the subsequent year of the degree program. The Scholarship provides benefits for the recipient only, and intends to cover:
• Tuition
• A monthly subsistence allowance, for living expenses and books.

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/09/20132014-muste-undergraduate-and.html

The Global Sirius Programme for students and graduate entrepreneurs



The Sirius Programme aims to attract the brightest and best students and graduate entrepreneurs to set up their businesses in the UK.

Whether you have an early idea or an established business plan apply to this programme, one of the most comprehensive start-up packages offered globally. Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive package including financial contribution, a place in one of the world's best business accelerator programmes, and support to gain clients and funding to create a successful business.

ELIGIBILITY: Current university students (BA/BSc/Masters/Research degree), undergraduate students who graduated in 2011 or later, and postgraduate students (Masters, PhD, or MBA) students whose courses ended in 2011 or later, are all eligible to enter. If you fit into one of those categories, you are eligible to enter from anywhere in the world.


RULES AND REGULATIONS:The programme consists of two streams: the idea stream and business stream.
For the idea stream: If you have an initial concept that hasn't been put into practice yet, this is the right stream for you. We're looking for individuals or teams with outstanding entrepreneurial potential, who can make a lasting impact in the UK.
For the business stream: If you have already started out with a business (anything from a proof of concept/prototype/beta version to a early stage startup), enter the 'Business stream'.

PRIZE: Successful applicants will receive a support and landing package which is the first of its type in Europe. The package is intended to minimize any issues that an individual moving to a new country might encounter, so they can enter straight in to a supportive and appropriate eco-system when they arrive in the UK. This includes financial support of £12,000 per founder of investment in your business, and a place in a top business accelerator programme. A full list of the benefits can be viewed here.

More details here: http://www.naijacompetitions.com/2013/09/the-global-sirius-programme-for.html