By Aderemi Bamgbose
No fewer than 20 university students from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Wednesday, benefited from the Simeon Oladero Memorial Foundation (SOMF) scholarship awards.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while each of the students studying Medicine and Pharmacy received N300,000, N250,000 went to those in Engineering, Law and Accountancy, with those reading other courses going away with N200,000 each.
The Chief Executive Officer of SOMF, Mr Wole Omosuyi, said at Igbokoda, venue of the programme, that the objective of the foundation was to give scholarships to brilliant indigent and less privileged students in Ilaje LGA.
“My father died at the age of 26, thus making growing up and attaining the best education, which I had desired, so difficult for me as a fatherless boy.
“It was this experience that informed my decision to assist brilliant but indigent students, who have been finding it difficult to get the good education but they cannot afford the tuition,” he said.
According to him, SOMF intends to produce a minimum of 60 university graduates, adding that the foundation is only starting with 20 students this year and will make an annual affair.
“We also call on captains of industry and other well-meaning Ilaje indigenes to support this course because education is the bedrock of a bright future,” Omosuyi said.
He urged beneficiaries of the scholarship awards to be dedicated, studious and responsible, adding that they should refrain from anything that could jeopardise their future.
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, commended the sponsor for his gesture, calling on other sons and daughters of Ilaje to emulate him.
“We cannot wait for the government all the time. Let us all emulate this kind gesture so that our children can attain the best level in their education, for the overall benefit of our community,” the royal father said.
A beneficiary, Samuel Olatuyi, a 100-level student of Mathematical Education, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, expressed happiness with the scholarship, promising to be more dedicated and committed to his studies.
Another beneficiary, Toluwalope Olatunji, a 200-level student of Biochemistry at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, also thanked the sponsor, praying for long life and more successes to accommodate more students.
NAN reports that traditional rulers, captains of industry and prominent politicians were present at the ceremony.