The Karim Adeyemi Foundation (KAF) has honoured outstanding public secondary school students at the 4th edition of its International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) Essay Competition held at its headquarters in Oluyole, Ibadan, with beneficiaries receiving scholarships, cash prizes, and capacity-building opportunities.
The annual event brought together government officials, education stakeholders, teachers, parents, and students in a celebration of academic excellence, youth empowerment, and sports-driven development.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Karim Adeyemi Foundation, Mogaji Abiodun Adeyemi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening public education and identifying young talents, stressing that brilliance must be nurtured regardless of social background.
He disclosed that over the past four editions, the foundation has awarded more than ₦3.5 million in prize money to 35 outstanding public secondary school students across Ibadan.
He noted that the initiative has continued to yield measurable long-term impact, with about 70 percent of past beneficiaries currently enrolled in various universities across Nigeria.
“These are not just numbers,” he said.
“What matters most is the transformation we are seeing. Many of these students now have the confidence and support to pursue higher education because someone believed in them early enough.”
Adeyemi further explained that the foundation’s intervention goes beyond one-off rewards, as it continues to provide structured academic and developmental support for beneficiaries.
He announced that science-oriented winners from this year’s edition will be enrolled in the upcoming E-Tutors Scholarship Programme scheduled to commence between June and July, designed to prepare students for external examinations, including WAEC.
He also revealed that all winners and participants in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) stage of the competition will benefit from a SkillNG masterclass, aimed at equipping them with essential digital literacy and soft skills required in today’s competitive global environment.
Looking ahead, Adeyemi disclosed plans to launch the KAF Scholars Community during the foundation’s fifth anniversary next year. According to him, the platform will serve as a structured network for mentorship, tracking, and long-term engagement with all beneficiaries of the foundation’s educational programmes.
Adeyemi expressed concern over rising insecurity affecting school attendance in parts of Oyo State, particularly in Orire Local Government Area, warning that such threats could discourage parents from sending their children to school.
“No parent should ever have to regret sending a child to school,” he said. “When insecurity disrupts education, it destroys the future of society. We are calling on government and security agencies to act swiftly and restore safety to our schools.”
The essay competition challenged students on the topic: “If you are the Minister of Sports Development and you have the power to design one local sports tradition in Ibadan to break a barrier that currently exists, what tradition will you create or redesign, and why?”
At the end of the competition, Gbadamosi Abdulrahman of Awotan/Araromi Community High School emerged as the overall winner, winning ₦200,000.
Hebron Adelakin of Loyola College, Ibadan, came second and received ₦150,000, while Adetayo Elizabeth of Agoo Are Grammar School placed third and won ₦100,000.
One of the highlights of the event was the recognition of Abdulrahman, who expressed appreciation to the Karim Adeyemi Foundation for creating a platform that encourages students in public schools to dream beyond their limitations.
He described the award as a strong motivation to remain committed to academic excellence despite societal challenges.
The event concluded with the presentation of cash prizes, scholarships, educational materials, plaques, and digital training opportunities to deserving students, amid applause from guests, teachers, and proud parents.
