BlossomNIgeria says well done to 7UP Bottling Company, one of Nigeria’s leading beverage brands, that has announced Ms Boluwatife Akinola as its 14th recipient of the prestigious 7Up Harvard Business School (HBS), scholarship award. She was unveiled at an exclusive ceremony held at the company’s head office in Ijora, Lagos.
We say well done to the Company that has been consistent, in organising the award each year to a Nigerian resident, who must have been admitted to the Harvard Business School for an MBA programme, but is unable to fund it. This is why awarding the 14th recipient the fully funded MBA scholarship at the prestigious HBS, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, is a great mark of social responsibility from the 7UP Bottling Company.
According to the management of the Company, the recipient screening and selection goes through a thorough and rigorous competitive process upon which a winner is selected based on a set of criteria. The Chief Marketing Officer, SBC, Mr. Norden Thurston, said the initiative is one of SBC’s proofs to continually inspire and empower young Nigerians by investing in the education of future leaders of the country.
The 7Up Harvard Business School scholarship was established in 2010 to commemorate SBC’s 50th anniversary. Restating its commitment to this initiative, the Managing Director, Mr. Ziad Maalouf noted that the initiative has been designed to nurture a pool of globally educated Nigerians who will contribute significantly to the nation’s development.
Mr. Maalouf, while addressing the recipient, inspired her to “Go, spread your wings, learn and develop”. He however emphasised the importance of returning home to make a difference in Nigeria. He restated that the 7UP Bottling Company will support her in making a difference. In his words, “By empowering young minds like yourself, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for all Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the company’s Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs, SBC, Mrs Nkemdirm Agboti, commended the Chairman of SBC, Mr. Faysal El-Khalil for birthing the 7Up Harvard Business School Scholarship initiative, while also appreciating the efforts of the Managing Director, Mr. Ziad Maalouf for sustaining and building on the initiative.
Appreciating 7up Bottling Company for giving her the platform, Ms. Boluwatife Akinola, the 2024 recipient, said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the 7Up Harvard Business School scholarship. This opportunity is a dream come true, and I am committed to using my education to make a significant impact in Nigeria by returning to contribute my quota in reducing the number of out of school children in Nigeria. I am grateful to SBC for believing in my potential and providing me with this platform to contribute to the betterment of our society.”
