The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has awarded scholarships worth ₦10 million to 100 orphaned and indigent students in tertiary institutions across the state, reaffirming her commitment to making education accessible to vulnerable youths.
Speaking during the scholarship disbursement ceremony held in Ado-Ekiti, Dr Oyebanji said no child should be denied the opportunity to acquire quality education because of poverty or challenging life circumstances.
She described education as a powerful tool for empowerment, social mobility and sustainable development.
The scholarship scheme, facilitated through her humanitarian foundation, benefited students drawn from the 10 higher institutions located in the state.
Each beneficiary received ₦100,000 to support tuition payments, academic materials, research projects and other educational needs.
Dr Oyebanji explained that the initiative forms part of her annual intervention programme aimed at promoting access to education and reducing the financial burden faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
She added that the foundation also extends support to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools through its yearly Back-to-School Programme, which provides learning materials and other educational resources to encourage academic excellence.
According to her, “Education remains one of the most effective tools for personal transformation and societal advancement. Through this intervention, we are helping to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent our young people from pursuing and achieving their academic aspirations.”
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Widows, Aged, Orphans and Hope (WAOH) Project, Dr Kemi Dairo, said the beneficiaries were carefully selected from various institutions based on their indigent status and demonstrated need for assistance.
She noted that the scholarship would help ease their educational expenses and improve their chances of academic success.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, Mr Sunday Asefon, urged the beneficiaries to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies. Other dignitaries at the event, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Prof Akeem Apenpe; Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof Femi Akinwumi; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi; and Commissioner for Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, commended the initiative and encouraged the students to see the scholarship as both a motivation for excellence and a call to greater responsibility.
