Education

Alumnus presents varsity scholarships to Ibadan Grammar School ex-students

Beneficiaries of the Jide Ogungbadero/Urban Books and Technology Inc. scholarship scheme flanked by the IGSOSA, management team and their parents at the event. Photo: MODUPE GEORGE

BY MODUPE GEORGE

The principal of Ibadan Grammar School (IGS), Mr. Joseph Oladejo, has given kudos to the Ibadan Grammar School Old Students Association (IGSOSA), for its contributions to the development of the school.

He particularly commended a member of the Ibadan Grammar School Old Students Association (IGSOSA), Mr. Olajide Ogungbadero of the 1965/69 set, for single-handedly presenting scholarship awards to former students of the school who freshly gained admission into the various universities across the country.

According to the principal, Ogungbadero’s latest gesture is in commemoration of the schools 110th Founders Day anniversary.

Mr. Oladejo gave the commendation at the school’s Mike Adenuga ICT Centre during the presentation of the scholarship awards, the third in the series, to former students who have just gained admission to universities, with the beneficiaries receiving the sum of N100,000 each.

According to him, Ogungbadero, who is based in the US, under his initiative christened Urban Books and Technology Inc., USA, has been giving scholarships to deserving students not only from his alma mater to ease the financial burdens on their parents, but also to other students in Nigeria.

While noting that more letters of admission are still expected from the ex-students for presentation of scholarships by the benefactor, Oladejo disclosed that Ogungbadero had equally been sponsoring the yearly Spelling Bee Competition of the school, paying the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees of the students and purchasing their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms.

He said the alumnus had also been organising free coaching for the candidates, feasting the entire school, and organising a seminar tagged Pick Up a Book Instead of a Weapon under the Urban Book and Technology Inc., USA, concept.

While congratulating the beneficiaries and their parents on the awards, the principal urged the fresh undergraduates to focus on their studies and make excellence their watchword to justify the awards and make their alma mater proud.

Speaking at the event, the coordinator of the Urban Book and Technology Inc, initiative in Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Suara, disclosed that about 20 former students of the school have so far benefited from the scholarship scheme which, according to him, was put in place to motivate them to become good ambassadors of the school.

The principal of the junior school, Pastor Akinpelu Akinkunmi, advised the beneficiaries and their parents to see the awards as a challenge to also give back to the society.

Three members of IGSOSA, Mr. Olusanya Aribatise (1973/78), Dr. Olukayode Oyetunde (1969/73) and Mr. Gbolade Raji (1972/76), who, among others, represented the association at the event, charged the students to shun anti-social behaviours, take their studies seriously and uphold the good name of the school.

Mrs. Abigail Layiwola, a widow, who thanked the benefactor and school management on behalf of other parents, appreciated Mr. Ogungbadero for his contributions to the development of the school and for his gestures towards the students.
She expressed delight that her son was among the beneficiaries of the scholarship.

One of the beneficiaries, Goodness Oluyide, who gained admission to the University of Ibadan to read Computer Science, expressed joy and promised on behalf of others that the opportunity would be maximised.

Present at the event were the Local Inspector of Education (LIE), Mrs. Riskat Awowoyin, who represented the Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Mr. Abiodun Rahaman and the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Zone 1, Mr. Babatunde Onifade; students, other members of the management team of IGS and officers of IGSOSA.

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