Wilmar International has awarded scholarships to 84 students drawn from its 28 landlord communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, reaffirming the company’s sustained commitment to education, community development and the empowerment of young people.
By Daniel Lobede Egbe-Ijoh Agbor
The presentation, held on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at Onun Model Secondary School, Mbarakom, marked the 13th edition of the Wilmar scholarship scheme and attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, community leaders, parents, educators, stakeholders, management representatives of Wilmar and the scholarship beneficiaries.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, Hon. Amb. (Ophot) Felix Akposi KSJI, commended Wilmar International for what he described as a remarkable example of responsible corporate citizenship, urging other companies operating in Akamkpa and Cross River State to emulate the organisation’s approach to community relations and social investment.
The Chairman singled out Wilmar as one of the major employers of labour in the area, noting that the company’s contributions extend beyond employment to taxation, education and community development.
“Their taxes keep the state and local government running, their corporate social responsibility is top notch, and they are in good relationships with their landlord communities. If other companies operating in the local government, nay Cross River State, have put in this kind of effort, most of the problems in some communities would have been solved by half,” he stated.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Akposi described the scholarship as both a reward for academic commitment and a responsibility to justify the confidence reposed in them by their benefactor.
“Today, we are celebrating your success in clinching Wilmar’s scholarship award. If you listen to your benefactor, their position is very clear: you are also their ambassadors. Hence, you must take your studies seriously. Your character must reflect thrift, industry and class,” he charged.
The Chairman also used the occasion to appeal to community leaders, parents and other critical stakeholders to intensify efforts to encourage boys to remain in school, stressing that education has become indispensable to survival and progress in contemporary society.
While commending the impressive participation and dominance of female students in the scholarship programme, he challenged male children across the communities to take their education more seriously.
“While I commend the female folks for dominating the scholarship scheme, I am also charging our boys to take their education seriously. Our progress in life these days is no longer through the forest we deforest, or through our traditional means of survival, as all the things we do now require education,” he added.
Wilmar: Scholarship is an Investment in the Future
Speaking on behalf of Wilmar, Mr. Anthony Voo Gin Fah, Plantation Head of Biase Plantations Ltd and Eyop Industries Ltd, said the company regards its corporate social responsibility initiatives as strategic investments capable of producing long term benefits for both the communities and the organisation.
He explained that the scholarship scheme was not established merely because Wilmar had made commitments to its host communities, but because the company believes in creating sustainable value through education and human capital development.
“These students are our ambassadors. They represent us, and some of them are our future manpower in the various units of our production. This is the reason we monitor their progress in school,” Voo Gin Fah stated.
According to him, the 13th edition of the programme demonstrates the company’s consistency and commitment to its landlord communities, adding that the number of beneficiaries is expected to increase as more communities become part of Wilmar’s concession.
“Today, we have 84 students. The number might increase in the next edition,” he said.
The Plantation Head further explained that, as an agro-allied conglomerate operating across several continents, Wilmar recognises the importance of securing the future through deliberate investments in planning, education, research and innovation.
“We marry all these into our business while also ensuring that our commitments to our landlord communities are followed to the letter, as they remain an integral part of our success in business,” he added.
Paramount Ruler Commends Wilmar’s Community Relations
The Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa, His Royal Majesty, Ophot Agbor Ewa Ebani, also commended Wilmar for what he described as its exemplary relationship with its landlord communities.
The traditional ruler rated the company highly for recognising its host communities as partners in progress and for maintaining its commitments under agreements and memoranda of understanding.
According to him, Wilmar’s consistency in providing comprehensive educational support distinguishes the company from many others operating within the state.
“In short, they have no good second in the state. Others are just by name. Just tell me any company that gives full scholarship, including every registration and support to the students, with this consistency? I have checked and there is none!” he declared.
154 Applicants, 84 Beneficiaries
Providing an insight into the selection process, the Chairman of the Scholarship Board, Prof. Arikpo B. Arikpo, disclosed that 154 students applied for the scholarship, out of which 84 were recommended after a screening exercise conducted in accordance with established criteria.
He explained that the scholarship scheme covers students from Wilmar’s landlord communities within Calaro/Calaro Extension, Uyanga, Ibiae and Eyop Industries.
His presentation was followed by the formal presentation of the beneficiaries to the Plantation Head for the issuance of scholarship certificates.
‘Become Living Evidence of Wilmar’s Investment’
Further charging the beneficiaries, Amb. Ivang Udah Onda, delivered a reflective message that challenged the students to view the scholarship not merely as financial assistance but as an investment requiring a corresponding commitment to excellence and service.
“Today, I am not just speaking as an individual; I am speaking as a product of investment,” he said.
Ivang urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate their gratitude to Wilmar by making their education count beyond the classroom, transforming the opportunities provided to them into solutions that address societal challenges.
He linked the philosophy to the DEAL Project, representing Development, Economic and Leadership, which he said was conceived around the principle of converting investment in young people into tangible social and economic value.
“The best way to say thank you to Wilmar is to become living evidence that its investment in young people is producing responsible citizens, problem solvers, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and leaders who are ready to contribute meaningfully to society,” he stated.
Stakeholders Charge Beneficiaries to Excel
The ceremony also featured insightful contributions from prominent educationists, agriculturists and key management personnel, including Prof. Uti Egbai, John Titus, Antigha Essien, Leo Ekrianabo and Steve Ebong.
In their separate remarks, the speakers congratulated the beneficiaries while urging them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies. They also reminded the students of the responsibility that accompanies the scholarship, charging them to become worthy ambassadors of their families, communities, Wilmar and society at large.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Joseph, Praise Ekpe expressed appreciation to Wilmar International for its generosity and consistency in fulfilling its commitments to the participating communities.
She thanked Wilmar for creating an opportunity that would ease the educational burden on beneficiaries and their families, assuring the organisation and the communities leadership that the students would strive to justify the confidence reposed in them.
The 13th edition of the scholarship programme thus ended on a note of renewed commitment, with stakeholders underscoring the enduring connection between education, responsible corporate citizenship and sustainable community development.
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