Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Seventeen brilliant but indigent students of University of Ibadan have won scholarship that will cover their studentship from 200-level till graduation.

The students who are from 10 of the 13 faculties of the premier university received the award from the Olufemi Olaifa Memorial Foundation during the memorial lecture of late Mr Olufemi Olaifa, held at the Trenchard Hall of the Institution.

Coordinator of the Foundation, Mr Omotayo Olaifa, said the major criteria for the award which covers tuition and accommodation were indigentship and excellent academic grade which must not be less than Second Class Upper division.

According to him, it is unthinkable that brilliant Nigerian students who are gifted would be denied the right to education because of their poor social economic status.

Dean of Students Affairs, A.T.P Ajuwape, while lauding the foundation for the scholarship to the indigent students, urged more Nigerians to invest in education so as to increase access for brilliant but poor students.

He noted that poor economic conditions in Nigeria are increasing the numbers of students who are unable to pay their tuition and sustain themselves in the university, stating that this is not good for the future leaders of the country to experience.

He said, “It is pathetic now than before. We have more students who are not able to pay fees. They cannot feed properly when in school and they come to you with all sorts of requests. I think what this foundation has done is to invest in excellence and keep the dreams of these brilliant students alive. Poverty should not cut the dreams of the gifted. Other philanthropists in Nigeria and abroad are enjoined to follow suit and assist the university."

The awardees include Ridwan Adebowale (Law); Boye Yisa (Law); Adeyemi Akinpelu (Sociology), Emmanuel Ogunbule (Vet. Medicine); Adesola Ridwan (Vet. Medicine); Medinat Oladele (Special Education); Israel Akomodesegbe (Agricultural Economics); Joshua Oribukola (Science and Technology Education); Temilorun Alademehin (Guidance and Counselling); Tolulope Onakoya (Nursing) and Mayowa Adegbola (Civil Engineering).

They expressed happiness at the award and promised to continue to display excellence in their education, stating that they can now fully concentrate on their studies since the financial troubles have been taken care of.