The Olufunke Fasawe foundation has presented scholarship awards to thirty-six indigent students across eighteen schools in Ile-oluji/Okegbo local government area of Ondo state.
The foundation, committed to educational advancement through a project tagged: Empowerment Through Education: Grants for Schools and Students in Nigeria selected the beneficiaries in collaboration with the Ondo State ministry of education, science and technology.
The grant which comes as Scholarships for students cover tuition, books, and other educational expenses, with the amount varying based on the needs and academic level of recipients.
According to the Olufunke Fasawe Foundation, the scholarship awards aim to assist brilliant but indigent students to pursue their academic career, thus fostering equitable opportunities for all students, particularly those marginalized with a focus on critical areas such as infrastructure development and direct student support, in a bid to set the stage for a brighter educational future in Nigeria.
In fulfilment of this life impacting gesture, thirty- six indigent students emerged beneficiaries in eighteen secondary schools across the Ile-oluji/Okegbo local government area of Ondo State with each of them getting a sum of N50,000 to attend to their academic needs.
The presentation of the scholarship awards was witnessed by top government officials, principals of benefiting schools, teachers and parents of the beneficiaries who converged on the popular Gboluji Anglican grammar school in Ile-oluji area of Ondo State.
Speaking at the event, the initiator of the Olufunke Fasawe Foundation, Dr Olufunke Fasawe, an indigene of Okeigbo in Ile-oluji/Okeigbo local government explained that she was inspired by the need to ensure that no child missed the opportunity to acquire quality education as a result of poverty.
…..Photo: Representative of the initiator of Olufunke Fasawe Foundation at the event, Mr Olamide Ayedun.
Dr Fasawe who was represented by a member of her team, Olamide Ayedun said the beneficiaries were picked following their excellent academic records, having demonstrated financial need, and strong recommendations from their head teachers and principals
She expressed the optimism that the financial support to students would enhance their ability to pursue and excel in their educational endeavors. Dr Fasawe hinted that the foundation was already working on extending the support to schools to help them build infrastructure and make learning environment more conducive for students.
Earlier, the Admin Secretary, Ondo State ministry of education, science and technology, Dr Akindele Ige, applauded the Olufunke Fasawe Foundation for taking up the task of bequeathing a legacy of quality education to children in Ondo State having recognised education as the bedrock of development in life.
Dr Ige who was represented by Mrs Bosede Akinsanmi noted that the task of oiling the wheel of the education sector should not be left for government alone, urging well-meaning Nigerians and non governmental organisations to emulate the foundation and assist indigent children to acquire quality education.
In a remark, the Area education officer of Ile-oluji/Okeigbo local government, Mrs Bashirat Sanni, represented by Mr Otele Babatunde described the commitment of the Olufunke Fasawe Foundation to educational advancement as a beacon of hope for both the student, parents and the society while also advocating the judicious use of the scholarship awards.
In their separate remarks, the principal of Gboluji Anglican grammar school, Venerable Taiwo Akinseye and his counterparts from Uloen community high school Ile-oluji said the project was laudable and would inspire the students to perform better in their education.
Two parents, Mr Olufemi Adetula and a widow, Mrs Racheal Oyetayo could not hide their joy for the gesture even as they posited that the Olufunke Fasawe Foundation had given their children the hope of becoming great individuals in life who would in turn give back to the society.
Some of the beneficiaries, Daniel Fasanmi, Taye Olowosuyi, Peace Awolola, Emmanuel Olofingori, Mobinat Lawal and Racheal Adewole acknowledged the commitment of The Olufunke Fasawe Foundation to their education, noting that the gesture would spur them into consistent academic excellence.
The eighteen schools that benefited from the scholarship programme include Oloroke grammar school, St Francis grammar, Abari high school, Baptist high school, Ademulegun high school, Oke Alaafia community grammar school, Oloruntele high school, Orere grammar School, Okeigbo grammar school and Holy saviour high school.
Others are Gboluji Anglican grammar school, Adeboware memorial community grammar school, Fagunwa memorial high school, Uloen community grammar school, Oluwasola community grammar school, Aratu olojo high school, C.A.C high school and community grammar school, Akinye.
