Twenty-two indigent students, including two physically challenged undergraduates, are among the beneficiaries of the 2024 scholarship awards from the Ilorin Emirate Professors Association.
Two physically challenged undergraduates, Ayinde Aloba from the University of Ilorin and Abdulgafar Ahmad, benefited from the scholarship established by a group of professors of Ilorin Emirate descent in Kwara State.
This scholarship aims to provide mentorship, promote academic excellence, and encourage good governance, among other objectives.
Speaking during the presentation of the scholarship awards at the association’s sixth annual general meeting in Ilorin, the group’s outgoing president, Professor Abdulfatai Olokoba, said that each of the 22 beneficiaries got a cash award of N100,000, a certificate and a copy of the Holy Qur’an.
Professor Olokoba recalled that the association had 2022 instituted the annual scholarship scheme with 10 students receiving a sum of N250,000 each and a plot of land in Malete.
Also, he said that 20 students benefitted from the scheme in 2023 bringing to 52, the total number of students that had so far benefitted from the scheme from various higher institutions of learning.
The outgoing president said that the association increased number of beneficiaries to 22 this year, with the inclusion of two physically challenged persons, to ensure inclusiveness.
He said the scholarship programme was being sustained with the sum of N10 million donated by the lawmaker representing Kwara Central senatorial district, Senator Saliu Mustapha.
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Also speaking at the event, Mustapha, who was among the three persons honoured with an award at the event, announced another N20 million donation to the association.
The lawmaker said that education and human capital development which are the focus of the association, are key to the advancement of the Ilorin emirate, promising to continue to support them.
Other awardees, who were also recognized for their contribution to the cause of the group, included Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe and Senator Rukayat Gbemisola Saraki, who had both served at different times as senators representing Kwara Central senatorial district.
In his paper titled, “Level of Educational Advancement in Ilorin Emirate: Opportunities in Employment and Appointment”, Alhaji LAK Jimoh, a renowned historian and author of the book, ”Ilorin the Journey So Far”, charged professors and administrators of Ilorin descents in various locations to ensure that they leave a positive footprints on sands of time, wherever they hold sway.
He recalled that former administrators who had held various positions of authority at the national level, were very passionate about uplifting the young ones, saying such acts of patriotism should be sustained.
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