The Gbobaniyi of Efon Kingdom, Chief Olatunde Ashaolu has committed a total sum of N2, 275,000 to assist 38 students in the pursuits of their educational ambitions.
The donation was made on the occasion of the 5th Educational and Community Award Ceremony of the Daniel Adedayo Ashaolu Memorial Foundation established five years ago to honour the memory of his father.
Reeling out the names of the recipients, Chief Ashaolu disclosed that the 38 students were screened and passed through the necessary stages and examinations to qualify for the awards.
Welcoming the recipients and dignitaries to the ceremony which held at the Efon Civic Centre on Monday, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Francis Mogaji counselled the beneficiaries not to relent in their efforts towards achieving their educational ambitions.
While encouraging the beneficiaries to envision a successful future for themselves, Chief Ashaolu recalled that at his own tender age, when he was struggling and trekking from Efon to Ipole and other places, he did not know that he could become a Chartered Accountant. He therefore encouraged them to embrace diligence in their studies and eschew bad conducts.
“The Efon Community is expecting much from you. You must not fail the people of Efon. You must do everything humanly possible by reading and studying night and day to justify the awards you have all received. I advise you all to be determined in your hearts to be more diligent in your academic pursuits”, he admonished.
The Alaaye of Efon Alaaye Kingdom, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare who graced the event, congratulated Chief Ashaolu while calling on all prominent sons, and daughters of the town to emulate him.
He equally congratulated the recipients of the awards saying, “The awards are a challenge to you to redouble your efforts so that you can do better tomorrow. These awards are a milestone in the history of the community” adding that other families in the community should continue in their good deeds.
Also speaking at the event, the Aare of Efon Alaaye Kingdom, Dr. Kunle Olajide said “though he did not have the privilege of knowing the late Pa Daniel Ashaolu when he was young, Chief Ashaolu had shown that a good fruit could only come from a good tree”. He therefore counselled the recipients to exhibit a sense of competition in whatever they do.
Taking the first, second and third positions respectively were Afolayan Oluwatosin Praise, Ojo Florence Boluwatife and Olaoluwa Oluwakemisola Mary all from the Federal Government Girls College in Efon Alaaye. Thirty five other students including two physically challenged ones went home with consolation prizes of N50,000 each.
Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other beneficiaries, Miss Afolayan who got N200, 000, a trophy, a Laptop and a medal thanked the organizers and initiators of the foundation for allowing God to use them to be a blessing to her and her colleagues. In the same vein, Miss Ojo who came second, went home with a cash prize of N175, 000, a laptop and a medal, while in the third position, Miss Olaoluwa received N150, 000, a laptop and a medal as well.
The Daniel Adedayo Ashaolu Memorial Foundation kicked off in 2015 with a donation of N625, 000. A sum of N1, 500,000 was expended in 2016 while N1, 770,000 and N2, 025, 000 were donated in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
The Community Award 2019 also went to Venerable Israel Olagunju, the Archdeacon of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idagba in recognition of his exemplary service to the Efon Alaaye community.
The occasion was graced by students from both public and private schools in Efon Alaaye, educational stakeholders in the community including principals, head teachers, school proprietors, community leaders and market women as well as members of the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), youth groups, local hunters, drummers, cultural dancers, political leaders, religious leaders and various leaders in the traditional institutions of Efon Community.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
