Scholarship / A leader is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things. Chevening scholarship 2017/2018 [2]

I am applying for Chevening scholarship for 2017/2018 entry. I need your help in reviewing my essays

Chevening is looking for individuals that will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer. (minimum word count: 50 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

According to Ronald Reagan, the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things; he is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things. I am a perfect character depicted in the statement above. I was in my freshman year at the University of Benin, still getting used to the new world of challenges and opportunities, when I had my first experience with leadership.

After a class session on Thermal Physics and Properties of Matter, the class was divided into six groups by the course coordinator. Each of the ten-man group was assigned a topic for an experiment which must be submitted in a fortnight. Prior to being elected, unopposed, as the leader in my group, I have always made important contributions in a rather explicit manner during class hours. I believe my outstanding communication skill was one of the reasons my election defied any form of opposition. My group was meant to demonstrate the impact of energized particles on a static body. As the group leader, I developed three strategies through which I ensured that, while influencing my team to fully participate in the experiment, all activities met deadline and at a lowest possible cost.

Firstly, I captured the interest of each member by giving the methodology a code name-Project Elrond. Although "Project Elrond" is hypothetic, it describes three simulations I designed with balloon which preceded the main experiment. Secondly, I split the team into three man subgroups and assigned a simulation to each subgroup while I oversaw all simulations for final decision making. Lastly, I reunited the subgroups and proceeded with the main experiment using the procedure demonstrated in the best simulation. Consequently, while three out of the six groups failed to meet the deadline for report submission, my group not only beat the clock, it won the best presentation and most cost effective experiment. Overall, I was named the most creative group leader.

Furthermore, on 27th September 2013, during my penultimate year in school, I was elected president of National Association of Plant Biology and Biotechnology Students. During my tenure in the office, I motivated students to participate in community service by organizing a biotechnology outreach tagged "Environmental Biotechnology: the Lifeline of Sustainable Development in the 21st Century". It was a three-day outreach which attracted the sponsorship of Fidelity Bank, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, MTN Nigeria, Indomie Noodles, and Edo State Environmental and Waste Management Board. My team and I visited and delivered seminars at some industries such as Guinness Nigeria Plc, Dangi Industries Limited, and Freedom Group Limited. We particularly emphasized the implication of releasing untreated wastes and hazardous chemicals into the environment, and highlighted the benefits of employing microorganisms in waste management.

Obviously, I have not attained the pinnacle of leadership neither have I given up on my vision of becoming a policy maker in Nigeria. Ultimately, being a Chevening alumnus is the gateway in making my dream a reality.

Scholarship / The networking is an art which mastery requires self-confidence and diplomatic abilities [2]

Here is my CHEVENING Essay on Networking Skills. I need help to confirm that it is good to go

Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills, who will engage with the Chevening community ...

Experience has taught me that networking is an art which mastery requires self-confidence and linguistic aptitude, in addition to diplomatic abilities. Engaging with friends, colleagues, professors, and the world outside academic setting has always come naturally to me. Hence, I consider my election as the president of departmental students' association in 2014 as the major accomplishment of my networking and interpersonal relationship skills.

While in active service as the president, I organized an academic excursion to International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan. The expedition not only offered participants the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals and adroit researchers in the discipline, but also established a prospect for collaborative research between IITA and the University of Benin. Meanwhile, my proposition for the trip met with strong opposition and almost outright rejection due to lack of funding. That was the first setback. The second hindrance was the odds in securing the university's sixty-passenger capacity bus, which, at the time, was inaccessible to students. Under those circumstances, I realized that onus was on me to make prompt decisions so as to substantiate my plans for the trip regardless of challenges.

At the outset, I engaged with few members who believed in the impact and possible success of the journey and delegated in-house responsibilities to them, while I masterminded engagements that involved external bodies including making contact with the management of IITA. I led the team that visited the director of Genetic Resources Centre at IITA. Through the outing, I had the privilege to network with Dr Michael Abberton, the director, and procured an approval letter for the excursion on IITA's letter-headed paper. Consequently, I met Professor Abiodun Falodun, the Vice Chancellor Academics, and discussed the benefits of the excursion and the challenges facing its success. He applauded my courage in securing a written approval for an academic expedition in one of the best research institutes in the world. Ultimately, through him, I not only received approval to use the university's bus, but also got some financial support. In the light of the progress I made hitherto, I convened a departmental association's meeting during which I gave detailed up-to-date information as regards the excursion. Before I ended my speech, ninety-five percent of those who initially refuted the idea changed their minds. In the long run, the excursion took place on 5th June, 2014 and was more impactful than I expected.

I have plans to expand Chevening Alumni Network in Nigeria. I intend to employ my networking skills in spurring local organisations in Nigeria to partner with Chevening to sponsor more Nigerians to study in the UK annually. Presently, Nigerian scholars make up 2.5% of Cheveners worldwide who commenced their studies in September 2016. I am confident in my aptitude to increase the proportion to 10% by 2030. I hope to achieve this feat through Corporate Community Development Service Scheme. Ultimately, being a Chevener will endow me with personal testimony about opportunities in Chevening's network and help make my vision a reality.

Scholarship / Obtaining a master's degree from Leeds University will horn my research expertise - Chevening essay [2]

Outline why you have selected your chosen three university courses, and explain how this relates to your previous academic or professional experience and your plans for the future ( 500 words max).

Prior to sending-in applications to my preferred UK universities, I thoroughly considered the courses offered in these schools to ensure a perfect continuum for my academic and career goals. Hence, obtaining a master's degree in Plant Science and Biotechnology, Applied Biotechnology or Biotechnology from the University of Leeds, University of Westminster, and University of Glasgow, respectively, will horn my research expertise. Ideally, these courses will not only offer a premise for me to develop my career, but also equip me with relevant skills needed in research and innovative science; a priority in the UK's development mandate for Nigeria.

Expectedly, my undergraduate qualification and experience as a laboratory attendant will help me to successfully complete these courses in the UK. During my postsecondary education, I completed most of my courses, such as Plant Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Molecular Biology, in grade A's. Basically, the modules in my intended courses of study are related to my previous subjects, except that they are more advanced. Some of the modules include Plant cell biology, Microbial physiology, Techniques in biotechnology, and Industrial bioprocesses.

While my intended course at the University of Leeds will widen my horizon on the application of biotechnology in agricultural improvement, those of the University of Westminster and University of Glasgow will increase my knowledge on the application of biotechnology in environmental pollution management and industrial processes. Through my involvement in laboratory activities at the 'Environmental Biotechnology and Sustainability Research Group' I have developed keen interest in sustainable approach to improving plant productivity and raw materials. Surely, my intended courses of study will help satisfy this research quest. For instance, while applying to my most preferred UK University, I read Professor Jurgen Denecke's article, published 17 years ago, on the anticipation of Endoplasmic Reticulum stress in plants in response to pathogens. I observed that, based on the results reported, the hypotheses were insufficiently addressed. After series of interactions with him through several emails and Skype interview, he supported my application and I received an unconditional offer of an academic place with him as my dissertation supervisor.

My ultimate aspiration is to pursue a career in academia and satisfy my passion for research and teaching in higher education institution. Studying these courses will facilitate my ability to undertake an outstanding independent research. These programs will assist in building my EQ and IQ with the template of excellence that already exists in the UK universities. Definitely, I will have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art facilities especially in DNA isolation and analysis of gene expression by PCR and RTq-PCR. I have plans to graduate with a distinction and then pursue a PhD degree so as to further my teaching career.

In the long run, through my research expertise, I hope to contribute to the UK's development plan for Nigeria. The UK established West Africa Science and Innovation Network currently based in Lagos with a mission to support science and innovation in Nigeria. I believe I have a stake in this mission.

Scholarship / CHEVENING plans to collaborate with the UK established West Africa Science Innovation Network WASIN [2]

Chevening is looking indidvuals who have a clear post study career paln. Outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer term career goals, considering how these relate to UK priorities in your country.

On my return home, I have plans to collaborate with the UK established West Africa Science Innovation Network (WASIN) and create a research program directed to the reinvigoration of budget allocation to science and technology in Nigeria. Currently, estimated gross expenditure on research and development in Nigeria is between 0.1 and 0.5 per cent of GDP as against the stipulated 5 per cent by National Policy on Science and Technology. Ultimately, this would change if a clear cut milestone is achieved through research in response to recent economy diversification program.

I intend to work on biofortification of locally produced rice cultivars with vitamin A. It has always been my dream to improve this massively embraced food staple in Nigeria. This plan will take approximately 5 years to be accomplished. At the outset, I plan to secure a position at the National Cereal Research and Institute (NCRI) as a Plant Physiologist. Through this position, I will have the opportunity to assess cultivars of rice that are mostly planted by local farmers in Nigeria. After this step, the next is to apply the professional skills I acquired during my time in the UK by designing a collaborative research. The collaboration would be between NCRI, WASIN, and my UK alma mater. WASIN will serve as an authentic platform to connect with my UK alma mater with regard to the proceedings of the research, especially in terms of state-of-the-art facilities and technical support. Although research institutes have a budget for research, I hope to utilize my networking skills to source for grants to support the research program financially.

Expectedly, I will apply for financial aid as a Chevener and, with this in mind, extend my tentacles to government agencies, NGOs, and corporate bodies that look forward to lowering their taxes by sponsoring non-profit projects. Regarding the time frame for this project, my first year in NCRI will be used for stabilizing and designing of the research. Early In the second year, proposal for the research will be submitted to the research board of the institution for approval. By the middle of the year, I intend to set off with contacting WASIN, making necessary arrangements with my UK alma mater, and applying for grants. Laboratory aspect of the research will start towards the end of the second year. Field trials will begin early in the fourth year and span to the fifth. The success of this research program will not only reduce cases of night blindness in the country, but also spur the government to establish a large scale rice farm with high processing technology that will compete with international standard.

Having acquired some level of professional experience as a Research Scientist, I hope to purse a PhD program so as to embrace a teaching career. I have a great passion to pass on my academic success by teaching and mentoring young people. In the long run, the history of my life will be incomplete without recognizing the impart of the Chevening Community.

Scholarship / I hope to purse a PhD program so as to embrace a teaching career. Statement for PTDF Scholarship [2]

Finally, please state in not more than 600 words in the space provided below:

1. Why you wish to acquire this scholarship.

2. Why you wish to obtain the qualification listed as your choice (for M.Sc. candidates) and that of your chosen research area (for PhD candidates), and;

3. How you think you will benefit in terms of your career and personal development from obtaining this scholarship and the resulting qualification once you have returned to you home country.

Please also give full details of any particular areas in which you like to concentrate as part of your course of study research while on your program overseas.

My experience about life and success made me see my father's death as a painful blessing. I started my academic journey in high school as a topper in my class, particularly in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology. But through my father's tragic demise, which certainly posed great challenge to my academic pursuit, life taught me that perseverance is my only lifeline and means to a successful career.

Being the first son, I began to assist my mother with family up-keep as a teenager. I engage in several menial jobs including serving mason and working as a Labourer at Golden Oil Industries Limited. Combining this responsibility with my studies honed my time managing skills even though I never had ample leisure like my peers. Throughout my high school and university days, I had difficulty with paying tuition fees. I surmounted this problem by working tirelessly for money during vacations. Thus, I am a very hard worker. I do not work only to accomplish my parent's desires or to rise up high in society, I work hard because I feel that the struggles before me existed so that I may grow into a better person. Obtaining PTDF scholarship will help me to advance my studies to attain master's degree, this time, without financial impediments.

Acquiring a master's degree in Biotechnology for Environmental Sustainability from a UK university will assist in building my EQ and IQ with the template of excellence that already exists in the university community, especially in the area of Environmental Biotechnology. It has always been my dream to research on sustainable approach to cleaning crude oil polluted regions in Nigeria. During my undergraduate research project, currently published in Annals of Science and Technology, I worked on utilizing local soap-derived biosurfactant for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soils in view of sustainable remediation. I was glad when I heard that the project report was one of those chosen to be showcased at the 2015 National University Commission's University Research Fair at Akwa Ibom.

The opportunity of master's program overseas will help me to acquire skills on the production of renewable energy from biological sources by applying biotechnological techniques. It will not only facilitate my ability to undertake an outstanding independent research, but also offer me the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art facilities. My area of research will explore the sustainable approach to the cleaning up of crude oil polluted soils, and how innovative expertise can be employed in downstream production through biotechnology to reduce the risk of elevated atmospheric CO2.

Ultimately, I aspire to pursue a career in academia and satisfy my passion for research and teaching in a higher education institution. This scholarship will avail me a prospect for collaborative research with my UK alma mater under the auspices of UK established West Africa Science and Innovation Network based in Lagos. Certainly, the academic writing skills I would gain from the master's program will help me to contribute to the quest for sustainable crude oil pollution management in Nigeria. I hope to hone my expertise in environmental biotechnology and become a consultant in biotechnological approach to petroleum hydrocarbon pollution remediation.

Having acquired some level of professional experience as a Research Scientist, I hope to purse a PhD program so as to embrace a teaching career. I have a great passion to pass on my academic success through teaching and mentoring young people. Giving back to my community through research and human capacity building is my contribution towards sustainable development of my country.

I sincerely thank you for your time and consideration for this prestigious award. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Scholarship / Plan of study, tight connected with the economy of Nigeria - Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. [2]

You are advised in your statement to describe how your plan of study relates to development in your sector and country. Please say how, on your return, you will apply your new skills and qualifications, and what outcomes you will hope to achieve. This could usefully be related to a national development priority or objective. Please also suggest how the impact of the potential benefits of your work might be measured.

Budget of Recovery and Growth

Acquiring a master's degree in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology is a timely achievement in my career with respect to Nigeria's quest to recover from economic recession. Thus, the interdisciplinary nature of my plan of study provides relevant skills and technical expertise in broad sustainability themes including environmental technologies, biological sciences, project management, and environmental policy and politics. Accordingly, these areas of knowledge are vital in the acceleration of non-oil revenue generation in my country.

After 3 to 4 decades of sole dependence on foreign exchange earnings from crude oil, the recent global fall in oil price has prompted Nigerian government to revert to agricultural sector with a view to promoting economy diversification. Undoubtedly, the diversification plan captured in the 2017 National Budget, tagged 'Budget of Recovery and Growth', will reinvigorate gross expenditure on research and development of agriculture to a greater extent. However, more is required than just allocation of funds to farming, especially with regard to harnessing the vast agricultural biomass in development of novel forms of renewable energy to promote environmental sustainability; a priority in the UK's development mandate for Nigeria.

Huge investment on agriculture results in proportional generation of municipal wastes and plant materials. As part of my plan of study at Keele University, my research project will assess the large scale production and purification of biogas from biological wastes and other biological sources. Nigeria is endowed with vast arable land for constant generation of bioresources which can be utilized in bio-fuel technology programme. Extensive production of biogas will not only create new jobs across the nation whilst replacing fossil fuel and reducing carbon emission, but also foster equity in localization of the biogas plant thereby establishing regional energy generation policy in the nation. Consequently, inter-ethnic civic unrest will reduce drastically and price of goods and services will no longer be controlled by gasoline pump price. Ultimately, United Nation's Kyoto agreement will successfully be implemented in Nigeria.

Subsequent to my return home, I have plans to collaborate with the UK established West Africa Science and Innovation Network (SIN) and my UK alma mater to develop evidence based policy that will further the establishment of Biogas Generation Technology (BGT) Programme in Nigeria. At the outset, I intend to secure a position at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology as an Environmental Biotechnologist. This position will avail me the privilege, and in collaboration with SIN and Keele University, to file proposals to appropriate offices regarding BGT Programme.

As a partner in £7m 'green gas' project in the UK, Keele University's collaboration in BGT Programme in Nigeria will not only facilitate federal government's approval of the programme, but also launch new formal partnership between the UK and Nigeria with regard to research and innovation. In the long run, political interests in Niger Delta region due to crude oil wells will gradually fade away on the account of BGT Programme. Increase in job opportunities in sustainability sector and improved per capita income would indicate the impact of my work.