Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (NCCU) Aylmer Irish has issued a challenge to 17 young students who have been awarded scholarships by that financial institution.
Since its existence almost ten years ago, the NCCU has become a household name in providing scholarships and financial assistance to students in need and also in the name of pioneer members of the institution.
This year, the merit scholarship award was given to Anyella K. J. Birmingham who placed first in this year’s National assessment exams.
Irish called on the parents of the students to provide guidance to the awardees throughout their challenging educational journey.
According to him, the NCCU can boast about being able to transform lives by providing financial support to many students through this scholarship programme.
“For many students, access to secondary education may not have been possible without the intervention of the NCCU. This is another demonstration of being true to our tagline one big family. We believe that it is our responsibility to provide access to secondary school education for as many students as possible,” he said.
“Over the last nine years and nine months since NCCU was established, an average of 15 students have been the beneficiary of full scholarships annually. The total number at the beginning of this academic year will be 73.”
Education he said is the conduit to economic and social prosperity and most certainly the means by which one can achieve social mobility.
“Remember, the success through your educational journey, can be achieved only if you resolve to do your utmost making yourselves proud, making your parents happier and bringing gratification to members of the NCCU. Remember to work hard in silence and let your success make the noise…look for the opportunities which will present themselves amidst these challenges rather than seeing these opportunities as a challenge,” Irish stated.
Also addressing the students and parents was board president Josephine Dublin who told them to consider themselves “very privileged” because they have been chosen from a group of “116 applicants.”
“You are extremely lucky to be presented which such a prestigious scholarship,” she said. She called on them to take full advantage of the opportunity given to make themselves, parents, and NCCU proud.