-R; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya; Chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi (OFR) mni; Director, MTN Foundation, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga and Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro with the MTN – MUSON Scholars, at the 16th graduation ceremony held at MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos on Thursday, 6 July, 2023.
MTN Foundation and the MUSON School of Music recently graduated 29 music scholars from the Diploma in Music scholarship program. The two-day graduation event, which featured a concert and the ceremony, saw the introduction of the 29 music talents into the Nigerian music scene.
The graduation concert, held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, featured interesting musical and instrumental performances from the graduating students. They performed covers of foreign and Nigerian songs such as I Hate Men by Cole Porter, Danzo Africano by Prof. Tunji Vidal, Iya Ni Wura by Moyosore Adebanjo, Ole Oloju Kokoro by Seun Owoaje and Never Far Away by Lagbaja. The highlight of the evening was the excellent performance of a medley of ABBA songs by the MUSON choir, which had guests singing along and cheering across the hall.
Thursday, July 6, 2023, was the graduation ceremony and it was an emotional experience, as the graduating students received their Diplomas and awards for outstanding scholars. Alebiowu Ayomide, Oluwarotimi Samuel and Abisola Edun won the MTN Foundation Awards for exceptional scholars that exemplify the MTN core values, and they each received gifts from the MTN Foundation. Flora Fasan, Olaitan Israel and Eze Victor also got awards from Frank Edwards and Chief Femi Adeniyi-Williams in different categories.
The highlight of the graduation ceremony was a special musical performance by Frank Edwards and the graduating class, and an emotional vote of thanks by the student president, Oluwarotimi Samuel. The ceremony ended with a beautiful rendition of the school anthem by the graduating student.
The MTNF- MUSON Scholars’ Diploma Programme was launched in 2006, and to date, the Foundation has fully funded over 400 music scholars to study at the prestigious Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) School of Music.