The University of Ibadan branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has handed out scholarships worth N1.1 million to 11 students from poor homes.
The cheques were presented on Thursday at the union’s congress in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The money came from three sources. The national body of ASUU funded two students with N200,000 each. The UI branch paid N100,000 each to five students. A professor at the university, Tajudeen Akanji, personally sponsored four others with N50,000 each.
Out of 56 applicants, only 11 met the requirements, said the Vice-Chairman of the branch, Dr Tayo Ajibade. He spoke on behalf of the branch chairman, Dr Adefemi Afolabi.
Ajibade said the national leadership asked all ASUU branches to support children from low-income families. He added that the union has long pushed for better funding of education. In his words, poverty should never stop a Nigerian child from going to school.
The two top awardees are Olawale Esther Inioluwa, a 300-level Archaeology and Anthropology student, and Orji Cynthia Adaeze, a 300-level Political Science student. The other beneficiaries study courses such as Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Economics, Psychology, Microbiology and Banking and Finance.
Ajibade said many students struggle to stay in school. He described education as the best gift anyone can give. He also promised that the union, its branches and individual lecturers would keep supporting such students.
Akanji, one of the donors, said he would keep helping needy students for as long as he lives. He is the son of a carpenter and knows what education can do for a person’s future.
Olawale said she did not expect the award. She urged fellow students to put their studies first. Another beneficiary, Oladepo Peter Olamide, thanked the national and branch leadership of ASUU. He said the scheme would motivate students to work harder.
