Omotayo Adegboye Foundation, owned by an Alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State on Monday empowered 106 indigent students of the Institution with, a cheque of N11 million for their educational supports.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Adegboye while presenting the cheque to management of the university, said the beneficiaries comprising of 54 males and 52 females made the list and that, they were selected from 100 level to 500 level.
While revealing that, the programme would be yearly event, the donor stated that,”each of the students would get N100,000 to support their education
“Each of the students collect N100, 000 to support their education. It is going to be a yearly intervention and it is going to be bigger next year. We are looking for other ways of intervention.
“This is the dream of my father. I lost my father at age ten and I know how difficult it is to survive in school, particularly at OAU,” he recalled.
According to him, “it is important to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds because,education remains a powerful tool for societal transformation.”
“As an alumnus of this great institution, I understand the struggles many students face in pursuit of their dreams. This initiative is driven by my belief that no student should have their aspirations curtailed due to financial difficulties. We hope this support will serve as a stepping stone for these students to excel academically and ultimately give back to society in their own way”.
In his own remark,the Chairman of the Board of the Foundation, Professor Saheed Adekilekun noted that, the foundation embarked on humanitarian services to promote educational growth of every individual in the society.
He posited that, “Education is the greatest equalizer, and we must all take collective responsibility for uplifting those in need. This is not just a donation; it is an investment in the future of these students and the greatness of our alma mater”.
The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof Adebayo Bamire while commenting on the gestures, appreciated Adegboye for his decision to give back to his Alma mater.
“I appreciate you for the support. We have supporters coming in to assist the university. We believe in a win-win thing. The university is also ready to do anything to support your foundation. With this gesture, you are helping the parents, the teachers and the university.”
“The gesture is not for the students alone, but would also serve as a relief for their parents, the teachers and the university as a whole.