2017 Scholars

We are delighted to announce our 2017 Kponee-Shovein Foundation scholars;  outstanding students who  are pursuing education in Rivers State Universities. Selected from numerous applicants, each of the recipients was chosen for their potential to make significant contributions to Nigerian society, culture, or their academic fields and will receive full tuition funding for the academic year.

Nwiwure Barinua

Student: 2nd year Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria

As a young child, Nwiwure was always excited by machines and mechanics. This is his motivation for choosing mechanical engineering as his field of study. He always felt a sense of achievement upon repairing machines and understanding how they functioned.  Right from my childhood, he had always wanted to design a cassava peeling machine for his mother, a weed remover and so much more. Mechanical engineering for Nwiwure is a practical and non-dormant profession that provides many opportunities for innovation in multi-dimensional settings.

Nwiwure applied to be a Kponee-Shovein scholar in order to receive financial help to help continue and complete his undergraduate education.  As a young boy, with a deceased father, he grew up in a state of poverty.  These financial difficulties have negatively impacted his secondary school education as well as his undergraduate education. Upon graduation, Nwiwure hopes to establish a company that will be responsible for mechanical engineering innovations that he hopes will be of service to Nigeria and Africans at large.

Prince Nelson-Muesi

Student: Master of Science in Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria

Prince is currently enrolled in his last semester as a full time graduate student in a Master of Science in Education Degree program at the University of Port Harcourt. He is motivated by the possibility of making a positive impact in a child’s life, and this motivation has persuaded his pursuit of the field of education.

From a young age, Prince has appreciated the value of an education. Neither of his parents have a college degree, and faced many struggles in their personal and professional lives because of this.  Nevertheless, they were committed to instilling in Prince a love for learning and an understanding of  the importance of hard work and perseverance. Upon graduating, Prince hopes to enroll in a  PhD program for Environmental Education. He hopes a PhD will strengthen his  knowledge and interest on global environmental issues facing the 21^st century. Additionally, he hopes to work as a Professor in Rivers State post his studies.