FORTY undergraduates from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) recently benefitted from the Razaq Akanni Okoya Foundation's scholarship scheme, aimed at encouraging brilliant but indigent students in tertiary institutions.Presenting the cheques, totaling N4 million to the beneficiaries recently at a colourful ceremony held at Okoya Estate in Lagos, Mrs. Folashade Okoya, who represented the Chairman, Eleganza and RAO Group of Companies, Chief Razaq Okoya, said the initiative was geared towards contributing to the education sector.With 10 students selected from each institution, she disclosed that the decision to offer the scholarship awards, worth N100,000 each, was informed by the founder's mission to give back to the society and also borne out of his strong belief in quality education.According to her, the awards would now be a yearly affair, with the same number (40) of indigent students getting N100,000 each, to pursue their academic careers.Commenting on some of Okoya's philanthropic and social development programmes, Folashade said: 'His philanthropic activities cut across various sectors of our society. In the health sector, he has supported medical establishments, hospitals and maternity homes by donating various life saving equipment such as ambulances and incubators'.Having made a mark in the manufacturing sector, she pointed out that Okoya, who was recently given a Gold Award by the Lagos State Government in appreciation for his contributions to its Adopt-a-School initiative, had also been involved in sponsoring the education of several students and donation of books and educational materials to various schools in the state.With a recent, separate donation of a block of classrooms to Ikota Primary School, Ajah, Lagos, Folashade stated that the scholarship ceremony was also intended to encourage other Nigerians to contribute their quota to the overall development of the nation.Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye said: 'Chief Okoya is a great personality and has continued to identify with the state government in its developmental effort. Government cannot do it alone and we appreciate what this great Nigerian has been doing, especially for children and youths in the country.'One of the beneficiaries, Bakinson Kolawole, a 400 level Mathematics undergraduate at UNILAG was full of praises for his benefactor. 'This is the first time I am getting a scholarship of this kind. It will go a long way to assist me in the pursuit of my education,' he declared.Kolawole, who described himself as a 'hustler,' narrated what he did to survive on campus this way: 'I do odd jobs in school. I help people search for any kind of textbooks (they need); I help (people) make photocopies and I get paid for these services. So, this award will be of great benefit to me in actualising a better grade and staying in school.'Also, Eniola Shoniregun, a 400 level student of African Languages at LASU said her selection for the award was based on performance. 'This scholarship means a lot to me and I intend to pay my tithes to thank God. The rate of unemployment in the country is very high and the youths need all the help and encouragement they can get, so I want to encourage all the beneficiaries not to rest on their oars, so that more students will benefit from the foundation'.Also, Mary Ayomipo, a 400 level French student said the award would go a long way to assist her to pursue her dream of acquiring a Master's degree. 'With this kind of scholarship, a lot of Nigerian youths will definitely realise their dream of achieving a better life. I give kudos to the foundation because the process of selection was very transparent. I did not have to know or lobby anyone for the award,' she affirmed.
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