The Lanre Briggs Foundation has awarded fully funded university scholarships to 22 students of Imade College, Owo, Ondo State.
Founder of the Foundation, Mr. Olanrewaju Briggs, said the gesture was driven by the growing inability of many parents to afford university education for their children and wards.
He lamented that many brilliant students often dropped out after secondary school due to the increasingly prohibitive cost of tertiary education.
“The government is doing its best, but cannot completely solve this problem. This is where private individuals must step in,” he said.
“This informed why the Lanre Briggs Foundation decided to join in the effort to provide fully funded university scholarships to students in public schools.
“The initiative began at Imade College, Owo, Ondo State, where 22 students out of 170 were awarded scholarships after a rigorous examination conducted by the Foundation,” he explained.
Briggs said the initiative was also aimed at curbing the growing number of out-of-school children, assuring that the Foundation would increase the number of beneficiaries in subsequent editions.
He revealed that the Foundation’s target was to sponsor 500 students across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
Ultimately, he said, the goal is to extend the scholarships to over 2,000 students nationwide annually.
“This initiative is meant to stimulate healthy competition among students in public secondary schools and discourage academic complacency.
“No brilliant child should be denied access to university education due to financial constraints,” he added.
Briggs also appealed to federal and state governments for support, saying such backing would go a long way in reducing the number of out-of-school children nationwide.
“Every drop makes the ocean. These 22 students have been removed from the statistics of hopelessness. If everyone does a little, the impact will be massive.
“Imagine 100 other people doing the same thing—just think of how far-reaching the results would be,” he said.
Some of the scholarship recipients include Lawal Basit, Samuel Godspower, Adebesin Abdulsalam, Suwapo Victor, Asolo Jamiu, Ibidapo Samuel, Umaru Mazeed, Sunday Demilade, and Oyeleye David.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olayide Adelami, among other dignitaries.
The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, who gave his royal blessings, commended the Foundation for the initiative.
“First, I must thank the Lanre Briggs Foundation for recognising the importance of preparing the next generation.
“I also congratulate the students from Imade College who have been found worthy. My advice to them is that this is only a beginning.
“There will be challenges ahead as they move into university and beyond, and they must be ready to face them,” the monarch said.
The Punch
