Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday, donated an N50million endowment fund for the overall best graduating female student of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, (JABU) Ikeji Arakeji, Osun.
The First Lady while presenting the endowment fund during the 15th convocation ceremony of the institution said the gesture formed part of her efforts to uplift young Nigerian girls for the greater good and development of the country.
“In pursuant of this vision to promote education of students, I hereby donate the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) as an Endowment Fund for the overall best graduating female student of JABU,” she said.
Senator Tinubu who was represented by the Ekiti state First Lady, Dr. Mrs.Olayemi Oyebamiji, after her conferment of an Honorary Doctorate Degree, appreciated the institution, describing education as the bedrock of development.
She said “Education has always been a critical pillar in the development of individuals and the nation as a whole. Therefore, I am deeply honored by this recognition, which inspires me to continue serving both humanity and our nation.
“In line with my commitment to supporting education, I am pleased to announce a donation of N50m to the school. This fund is intended to further their mission of academic excellence and innovation.
As part of my ongoing efforts to support education, I am thrilled to contribute another N50m as an endowment fund specifically for Ayo Babalola University. This fund will serve as an encouragement and reward for outstanding academic achievement.”
“The best graduating female student of the University will be the first recipient of this fund, underscoring my belief in empowering women through education. I trust that the university management will administer this fund judiciously for the benefit of the students and the institution”.
Meanwhile, the Pro-Chancellor of JABU, Prof. Joash Amupitan, while appreciating Senator Tinubu, lamented that private institutions in the country are confronted by infrastructure deficit and called on the government at all levels to support private school owners.
He said private universities are also contributing to development of education, saying they are also helping to train young Nigerians who will also contribute to the growth and development of the country.
Amupitan said the government must support private universities through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and student loans introduced by the Federal government since the bulk of these funds emanate from taxes from private sector which include private universities.
He however, appreciates Senator Tinubu for the N50m endowment fund saying as part of the commitment of the school to academic excellence and the empowerment of female students, the school has decided that “the prize for the best graduating female student will be awarded annually for the next 10 years.
“Each year, the recipient will receive N5m, a generous initiative sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu. This award, aptly named the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Prize for Academic Excellence, underscores our dedication to recognizing and rewarding outstanding achievement.
I am pleased to announce that this year, the overall best-graduating student is a female, a testament to the remarkable strides women are making in education.
“Furthermore, I must commend the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has already credited the university’s account with an impressive N50m to support this noble cause.
He congratulated the first recipient of this award, saying “we hope you will honor this recognition by continuing to excel and contribute meaningfully to society”
The Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. while speaking on the 15th convocation of the school, said; “Out of the 626 graduands, 50 made first-class honours representing eight percent, 290 in the second-class upper division (46.3%), 215 in the second-class lower division (34.3%), 67 made third class (10.7%), and 4 graduated with pass degree (0.6%).
“The best graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session is Mary Ojone Omachi, of the Department of Mass Communication. She graduated with a CGPA of 4.88”.
The Vice-Chancellor said the honorary degrees conferred on the three eminent Nigerians, “represents our humble recognition of their invaluable contributions towards the progress of JABU”.
