It was a glorious day for Ona Ara Development Forum (ODF) as students from tertiary institutions and secondary schools benefited from the Forum’s educational support program.
At a well-attended ceremony held at the Ona-Ara Local Government Hall, Akanran, on Friday, the Forum presented cheques of ₦100,000 each to nine university undergraduates and ₦75,000 to four polytechnic students.
Thirty-eight students drawn from public secondary schools in Ona-Ara, who were successful in a competitive examination organized in collaboration with the Ona-Ara Local Inspector of Education (LIE), also received ₦35,000 WAEC fees.
Welcoming guests to the ceremony, the President of Ona Ara Development Forum, Alhaji Kola Bolomope, appreciated families that have invested in the ODF Scholarships Fund.
He disclosed that the money used to fund the bursary awards came from interests generated on their investments in the Scholarships Fund, which are invested in Federal Government SUKUK-BOND and treasury bills.
Alhaji Bolomope encouraged well-to-do families from Ona-Ara to contribute to the ODF Scholarships Fund to effect positive change in the community.
In his speech, the Chairman of the ODF Scholarships Committee, Prof. Olukunle Iyanda, represented by Alhaji Yinka Oladimeji, hinted that the bursary amount would increase next year to reflect the current inflationary trend.
He appealed to the beneficiaries to make good use of the assistance and give back to the community in the future.
In his remarks, former secretary to the government and Head of Service Oyo state, who was the Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Suleiman Oladiti Oladapo recalled how his Ona-Ara background has shaped his life.
Alhaji Oladapo, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of ODF, called on Ona-Ara indigenes at home and in the diaspora to join the ODF, in its efforts to impact positively on the community .
The Executive Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, Dr Kolapo Temitope Glorious, who is also a member of the ODF Scholarships Committee, announced the Council’s investment of #1,000,000 in the Scholarships Fund while he also made a personal donation of #250,000.
The Ona-Ara Local Government Chairman also rallied support for the ODF an association he sees as a partner in the development of Ona Ara.
An important development this year was the decision of the children of Chief Bayo Oyero, under the aegis of Bayo and Bimpe foundation, to take over payment of WAEC fees to deserving students.
This year, the foundation paid the WAEC fees of #35, 000 each to 38 students drawn from public secondary schools in Ona-Ara.
The spokesperson of the foundation, Dr. (Mrs) Bisola Oyero-Oyawa assured that the foundation being put together to immortalise their parents would be paying the WAEC fees annually apart from other community development programmes.
Students are selected for the WAEC fees payment through a competitive examination organised for all public secondary schools in Ona-Ara in collaboration with the LIE office.
Families that have invested a minimum of ₦1 million in the ODF Scholarships Fund include: Prof. Moses Olubayo Adeniji, Pa S.A. Iyanda, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Kate Katose Family, Mogaji Lawani Oyero Family, Pa Yesufu Amao Bolomope Family, Alhaji Bolanle Gafar Scholarship Foundation and Gen. Asimiyu Olaniyi (Rtd.)
