Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) has awarded scholarship worth N3.6 million to 100 students across the country to assist them in their educational pursuits.

The beneficiaries are mainly children of LAPO clients.

The award brings to 132 the number of students who have benefited from the scheme so far as 32 students won the award at its commencement in April 2008.

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director of LAPO, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe declared that the scholarship scheme was an expression of LAPO's desire to improve the lives of her members, adding that the organization considers education as key to bringing about better life for the people.

Ehigiamusoe assured that LAPO would continue to sustain the scholarship scheme and therefore called on parents of the beneficiaries to encourage their wards to make good grades in school.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the LAPO Scholarship Scheme, Prof (Mrs.) Christiana Okojie explained that the seed fund for the scholarship scheme was the cash prize of 10,000 dollars which came with the “Excellence in Microfinance Award” won by LAPO in 2006.

She added that LAPO has since then been making financial contributions to the fund to enable it reach more beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries, who are children of clients of the organization, are usually determined through competitive tests

Prof Okojie however admonished the students to be consistent and committed to their studies, saying “if your academic performance falls below standard, you might lose the scholarship”.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of cheques ranging from N50, 000 to N60, 000 to each of the beneficiaries, as well as appreciation by parents and students who benefitted from the kind gesture.