By Correspondent in Lokoja.
An NGO, Osaseyi Foundation, on Wednesday boosted educatuon in kogi state by awarding scholarship to 66 students drawn from 22 public schools in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state.
Our Correspondent reports that the scholarship award include payment of the students’ three-term school fees, provision of funds for their West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) fee and gave them academic materials.
The Reporters gathered that the foundation also gave N100,000, each, to the two outstanding students:Iyiola Felix and Shaibu Esther Ovayoza both of who just completed their Senior Secondary School,to be used as their first year school fee at the University.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation,Chief Richard Abayomi Osaseyi, said his gesture was aimed at raising leaders who would become successful in their respective profession and expected to replicate the same gesture in others in the nearest years.
Osaseyi,an Ijumu born philanthropist, added, “we believe that we can secure the future of our community by investing in our students who have great potential.
“By investing in their educational development, we won’t be bothered about what the future holds”
The philanthropist,who recalled that he was once in the shoes of some of the students being assisted, stated that he believed that with the little support, the students would have been assisted and mentored to towards professional career paths.
The CEO said the foundation’s motto, “God and humanity”, is the entire expression of what he wanted to achieve through the foundation,noting that several of the programmes would be focused on extending “God’s kind gesture to humanity”.
While presenting cash gift of N30,000 to 44 selected teachers for their remarkable sacrifices of impacting knowledge to the young ones, Osaseyi noted that no amount of financial reward could compensate the teachers for their work on earth.
The traditional ruler of the area,Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, HRH, Oba Olusegun Ayeni, commended Osaseyi for the gesture and expressed optimism that it would facilitate educational development in Ijumu Local Government Area.
The Royal father added that Osaseyi would soon become a household name in Ijumu and by extension in Okun land because of his passionate investment in developing people and contributing to the welfare of the people rather than focusing on material acquisition.
Obs Ayeni said he was impressed that such a person was willing to contribute meaningfully to his people, despite not being a politician and being a young man, was making efforts to build humanity.
The traditional ruler urged the 66 students to see such opportunity to work harder and make their family and community proud as well as achieve self pride.
The Chairman, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in Ijumu, Mr. J.A Abayomi,described the foundation’s gesture as wonderful, adding that it would go a long way to ameliorate the suffering of some members of the community who could not afford educational expenses.
He said that since the beginning of the programme in 2021, the foundation had continued to expand the numbers of beneficiaries.
Abayomi, therefore, urged other leaders and well meaning individuals to emulate Osaseyi footstep by adding value to people’s life.
Mrs. Oluwakemi Omeiza Usman, Secretary, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kogi), congratulated the beneficiaries and advised them to identify their strength in order to guide them while choosing a career path in life.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
