THE Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Alumni Association, Warri Branch, has strengthened educational development in Nigeria with the award of scholarships amounting to deserving students.

The scholarships were presented on Wednesday at the Senate Building, OAU, Ile-Ife, as part of the association’s sustained intervention to support indigent but brilliant students and promote access to quality education.

The initiative was implemented through the Great Ife Alumni Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS), the social development arm of the Warri Branch, and is regarded as a major milestone in alumni-driven educational empowerment.

Dignitaries at the event included the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Simon Bamire; the Vice-Dean, Student Affairs, Dr. Lukman Olawale Olasunkanmi; the Global President of the OAU Alumni Association, Barrister Leye Falode Bunmi, represented by Prof. Atilade Kayode Ayobami; and the Source Chairman of the association, Seyi Akande Ayodeji, among others.

Six students benefit

Six outstanding students emerged beneficiaries after a transparent and rigorous screening process based on academic excellence, post-UTME performance and financial need.

They are Etchie Oritsegbitsewa Mitchell (Chemistry), Olusegun Ogoluwabuyo Prosper (Building), Notoma Oghenewegba Goodluck (Microbiology), Eze-Abiaziem Samuel Chibuike Oghenegoma (Software Engineering), Hope Oritsetserundede Beji (Biochemistry), and Weyinmi Ashogbon (Nursing, Southern Delta University, Ozoro).

Each student received between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 as a one-off academic grant.

Endowment fund

The scholarships were drawn from the ₦20 million Scholarship Endowment Fund launched on December 1, 2024, in Warri, in honour of two eminent Great Ife alumni — the late Olu of Warri, His Majesty Erejuwa II, and late Senator Pius Ewherido.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of OAU Alumni Warri Branch, Comrade Perere Pemu Arayi, said the programme was designed to ensure that no brilliant student is denied education due to poverty.

“This scholarship is a beacon of hope. It is strictly merit-based and transparent. No family can benefit twice, and the integrity of the programme must be preserved,” he said.

Arayi added that future editions would focus more on indigent students with proven academic excellence, calling on corporate organisations and public-spirited Nigerians to support the initiative.

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, represented by Chief Robinson Ariyo, made a significant financial contribution, while other donors included Engineer Asafa Pokima, Barrister Patrick, Dr. and Mrs. Phillipa Oganwu, and alumni across the globe.

Guest speakers Prof. Rose Aziza and Dr. Charles Okorefe commended the Warri Branch for using education as a tool for social transformation.

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