The Hope in the Jungle Initiative (HITJI), a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering children, youths and women in underserved and crime-prone communities, has presented award certificates to beneficiaries of its Maiden Masters Scholarship Scheme and hosted a public lecture in Elibrada, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The scholarship presentation was held during the community’s Annual Thanksgiving celebration on December 25, 2025, where beneficiaries of the 2024/2025 academic session received formal recognition in the presence of the paramount ruler, community leaders and residents. The certificates were presented by Prof. Vincent Weli, Director, Weather Forecasting Services.
The HITJI Masters Scholarship Scheme, instituted in honour of distinguished community ICONs, supports outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential.
The 2024/2025 ICONs honoured were Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi, Chief Judge of Rivers State; Dr. Chamberlain O. Agbada, a UK-based pharmacist and record-breaking scholar; and Hon. (Prince) Charles E.O. Beke, a two-time commissioner and public administrator.
The 2024/2025 scholarship supported one First-Class graduate with ₦500,000 and two Second-Class graduates with ₦300,000 each.
The beneficiaries of the maiden edition included Miss Desire Obisike, a First-Class graduate pursuing a Master’s degree in Library Studies at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education who received the Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi scholarship for STEAM.
Others included Mr. Endurance Ogbonda Obilor, a Master’s student in Economics at the University of Port Harcourt for Dr. Chamberlain O. Agbada scholarship for STEM and Miss Esther Adanne Okara, a Master’s student in Economics at the University of Lagos for Hon. (Prince) Charles E.O. Beke scholarship for Management Science.
In her remarks, HITJI Founder, Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, encouraged youths to pursue opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), noting that no applicants from STEM fields applied during the last scholarship cycle despite increasing global opportunities in the sector.
On December 26, 2025, HITJI hosted a community public lecture at the Elibrada Town Hall with the theme “Building Trust in Enhancing Community Development.”
The lecture examined trust as a foundation for sustainable growth, exploring how trust is earned, factors that undermine it, and the impact of misinformation.
Speakers at the event included Pastor Miracle Okorode, Engr. Chibueze Sam-Obisike, Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu and Prof. Joy Amesi.
Participants made personal commitment pledges to uphold trust and integrity in community relations.
During the event, HITJI also announced the winners of the 2025/2026 Masters Scholarship call, who will receive their certificates at a later date. The 2025/2026 scholarship call was extended to applicants across the Emohua Local Government Area.
Since its establishment in 2017 following Prof. Vincent-Akpu’s participation in the U.S. Government-sponsored TechWomen Exchange Programme, HITJI has implemented initiatives in education, training, capacity-building and community development across Niger Delta communities.
Prof. Vincent-Akpu noted that the NGO has worked in partnership with organisations such as Hanceff International, Bank of Agriculture, Emohua Local Government Council, and the Elibrada Environmental Education Network (Ecocenter Elibrada) on training, awareness and development programmes.
According to her, the scholarship scheme has so far been personally sponsored by her and her husband as part of their commitment to giving back to society.
This year, we have two winners: a First-Class award of ₦500,000 and a Second-Class award of ₦300,000,” she said.
She added that the scholarship scheme is also a platform which individuals and organisations can use to support vulnerable members of the community. Any sponsorship will be allowed to be named in honour of the donors or whom they wish.
