University of Ibadan (UI) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka has financially rewarded two students of the institution who participated and won awards in the recent poetry competition, just as the VC encouraged other students to emulate the courage of the award-wining colleagues of theirs.
The students, Messrs Babatunde Adedayo Gbolahan of English Department and Bayowa Ayomide Michael of Theatre Arts respectively entered into a Poetry competition organized by the Poets in Nigeria and won two trophies for the University of Ibadan after getting their works published by the organizers.
The competition which took place at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu was attended by the students through self sponsorship, the efforts described by the VC as not only courageous, but scholarly adventurous .
Speaking while receiving Dayò and Ayomide in his office, Prof. Olayinka who praised the courage and determination of the two students remarked that youth would continue to shine and dazzle if only they could direct their energies and passion towards rewarding and productive enterprise which can greatly enrich their lives.
“This is a step in the right direction. You saw the advertisement for the competition, and because you were confident of yourselves, you applied and won. This is exactly what UI encourages. This university is proud of you. You have done us proud by your excellent performances. We expect other students to emulate you in this regard “, Prof Olayinka stressed.
The Vice Chancellor who called on youth to shun social vices such as drug, prostitution, armed robbery and Internet fraud insisted that there was a hope of a better tomorrow if upcoming ones could be patient, resilient, studious and shun get-rich-quick mentality which he said could land them in trouble.
Prof Olayinka while congratulating the students encouraged them to keep the flag flying, pointing out that the 200-level students had achieved an enviable feat with their individual efforts.
The Vice Chancellor later approved some amounts of money for the students in order to offset their transportation and accommodation costs .
Responding, the two students who expressed profound appreciation, disclosed that the VC has further greatly boosted their determination with his fatherly advice and the financial rewards, saying they never thought Prof. Olayinka could be so generous , accommodating and unassuming.
The UI was adjudged the Best Participating Institution and Institution with the Highest Selected Entries in the competition.
