On Thursday, the Bayo and Bunmi Babalola Foundation (BBBF) awarded scholarships to 877 secondary school students and university undergraduates in Kwara State.
During the foundation’s 10th annual scholarship ceremony held in Omu-Aran, Irepodun local government area, Engr. Sunday Babalola, co-founder of BBBF, personally presented the awards to the recipients.
The scholarship beneficiaries comprised 103 Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students, 140 Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students, 338 other secondary school pupils, and 296 university undergraduates.
Scholarships for JSS3 and SS3 students covered their examination fees and related school charges, while the awards for tertiary students included tuition and additional academic expenses.
Since the program’s inception, a total of 3,381 students and undergraduates have benefited, combining the current 877 recipients with 2,504 from the previous nine editions.
Engr. Babalola expressed deep appreciation for the unwavering support of his wife, Mrs. Christiana Bunmi Babalola, who co-founded and co-sponsors the initiative, as well as their children, the organizing committee, and local traditional and religious leaders who have contributed to the program’s success over the years.
He lamented Nigeria’s persistent ranking among countries with the highest number of out-of-school children, despite substantial educational funding announced by both federal and state governments.
Highlighting a UNESCO report that estimates 20.2 million Nigerian children are out of school, Babalola urged all stakeholders to intensify collaborative efforts to tackle this pressing issue.
He emphasized the critical role of government in fulfilling its educational obligations, noting that a nation’s progress is intrinsically linked to the quality of its education system.
Addressing the widespread challenges of unemployment, underemployment, and economic hardship, especially among out-of-school youth, Babalola called for increased investment in education within Kwara State.
He also advocated for merit-based recruitment of educational staff to enhance teaching standards and overall educational quality.
Mrs. Christiana Bunmi Babalola, in her address, thanked God for sustaining the scholarship program through a decade of economic difficulties and praised her husband and the organizing committee for their steadfast dedication to empowering young people through education.
The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, lauded the foundation’s significant contributions to advancing education in the region, remarking, “True wealth lies in those who use their resources to uplift others.” He acknowledged Engineer Babalola’s efforts in transforming many families’ futures through this scholarship initiative.
Similarly, Oba Solomon Oloyede, the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, commended the foundation’s work as an exemplary model of community-led educational empowerment.
Mr. Omoniyi Adeyeye, national president of the Omu-Aran Development Association, encouraged other affluent natives to follow the Babalolas’ lead in supporting education and youth development.
