Not less than 28 brilliant, but indigent students from Ijesaland, Osun State, were presented with bursary cheques by The Ijesa Society on Sunday in Magodo, Lagos.
The presentation which saw each of the successful applicants coasting home a sum of N200,000 each took place during the meeting of the society.
In all, the society doled out a total sum of N5.6million to the lucky sons and daughters of Ijesa land which spreads across six local government areas in Osun state.
These local government areas include Obokun, Oriade, Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa West and Atakumosa East.
Speaking on the awards, the President of the Society, Prof. Duro Oni, who was a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Unilag said the motive was to motivate and encourage the students to do well.
“There are some students who are brilliant, but they don’t have the financial wherewithal to proceed to higher institutions.” He said further:
“This is why we are coming in to provide a kind of succour for them to advance in their educational development, ”
He said that there are further plans by the Society to continue with d education grant next year.
Prof. Gbenga Akingbehin, the Chairman of the Education Committee that was responsible for the screening and selection of the beneficiaries, said the parameters for the selection include being a student of public university, Indigent and brilliant with at least a CGPA of 3.5.
After the presentation, some of the winners spoke with the media, expressing their appreciation and joy to the society for the kind gesture.
Ayowole Omotayo Tomilayo, a 200 level student of Pharmacy at OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, who is on a CGPA of 4.11, commended the Society for the initiative.
“I am very grateful, it is a propellant and motivation for me .This will motivate me to do better, “she said.
She also thanked the Society for extending that gesture to her.
Ajayi Tolulope, a 300-level student of Medicine and Surgery at UI, who is on a CGPA of 4.53, said the award means a lot to him.
“It means a lot to me , I have been lagging in buying textbooks, payment of my professional levies for my part one MB Exam.With this award now, there is a relief for me, “he said while commending the Society.
Esther Alo, a 300-level student of mathematics at UI, said that it means the Society cares for Ijesa people,saying”it is really a good development.”
She said the Society should sustain the gesture to continue to encourage the brilliant, but Indigent students from the zone, adding that” it will motivate me to do better .”
Ademisoye Precious from Unilag, a 200-level Mass Communication student on CGPA of 4.94, who said the vote of thanks on behalf of other beneficiaries, commended the Society for the award, stating “it will motivate us to do better. We really appreciate the gesture.”
Among the members of the Society, who were present are Niyi Agbola, SAN, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, H E Adesuyi Haastrup,Prof. Foluke Dada, the Dean Law faculty from Caleb University, Barr. Funmi Obisan, Secretary, Prof Ajike Osanyin, Chief Akanni Afilaka, Prof Iyiola Oni, Alhaji Lateef Bakare,Vice President, while Chief Olutise Adenipekun was the host of the day.
