Six indigent but brilliant students of the University of Ibadan (UI) on Tuesday received the 2023 Indigent Students Scholarship Award by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan chapter.
The Union has been giving yearly scholarships to brilliant but indigent students to ensure that they are supported to finish their education and contribute to national and international development.
Beneficiaries of the 2023 award included a 200 level student of the Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ilori Ayomide, Busari Temitayo, Department of Microbiology, and a 400 level student of Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Osiga Ibrahim.
Others are Folorunsho Anuoluwa, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ekop Uko, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Adesina Adebare, Department of Archeology and Anthropology.
Speaking after presenting the award to the beneficiaries, the Chairman, UI chapter of ASUU, Prof. Ayo Akinwole said the award has two categories (ASUU National Award and ASUU UI branch Award), adding that two out of the beneficiaries won N200,000 each for National category, while the remaining four got N100,000 each for the branch award.
According to him, the beneficiaries were chosen following approval by the evaluation committee of the union, which comprised ASUU members across faculties in the institution.
He added that the beneficiaries were chosen based on indigency and brilliance.
Going memory lane, Professor Akinwole disclosed that the award, which started in 2018, is part of the unions’ contribution to moulding sound minds and ensuring there is no hindrance to the education of brilliant indigent students.
He stated that despite the challenges facing the union, yet, the union in its own little way contributes to the education of indigent students in the institution.
The cheques were presented in the presence of the Ibadan Zone Chairman of the Union, Professor Oyebamiji Oyegoke who admonished members to continue to fight for quality public education and stand to be counted in making Nigeria work for her people.
Answering questions if beneficiaries of this year would continue to benefit, Akinwole said the yearly award is a one-off award so as to give other students opportunity to benefit from it.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Busari Temitayo commended the gesture of the union, saying it would go a long way in relieving them of their financial burdens.
