No fewer than 2,504 Nigerians have benefitted from scholarship by Bayo and Bunmi Babalola Foundation (BBBF) from its inception.

The co-founder, BBBF, Sunday Adebayo Babalola, revealed this recently during the eighth edition of the scholarship ceremony at the Women Empowerment Centre in Omu Aran in the Irepodun Council of Kwara State.

He said about 651 pupils and students from Kwara State benefited from the current edition of the scholarship awards, while a total of 1,120 pupils from junior secondary schools and secondary schools and 733 students from tertiary institutions benefitted from the past seven editions of the scholarship programmes.

Babalola, a former Kwara State governorship aspirant, said he and his wife, Bunmi, initiated and have been sponsoring the scholarship as a way of expressing grateful to God for his manifold blessings on them and to give back to the society part of what God has blessed them with.

He expressed fulfillment that many of the past beneficiaries of the scheme were making progress and having great positive impacts on the society.

He charged current and past beneficiaries to continue to be good ambassadors of their families, society and the foundation.

Babalola said: “As God continues to bless us, my wife and I will keep sustaining this scholarship and our other philanthropic endeavours.

“We remember with nostalgia how during our school days, we were provided sufficient educational materials and some comforts of life. We are saddened that current pupils and students do not have such provisions from the government.”

Organising Committee Chairman, Dele Ajiboye, commended Babalola and his wife, Bunmi, for their patriotism and commitment to educational development.

He noted that BBBF has affected society positively through its numerous interventions in social, educational, and health affairs.

Ajiboye said: “I commend the family of Engr Babalola for not just keeping up this good work but also for extending its reach. Three years ago, the scheme was extended to Isin, Okeero, and Ekiti councils. The opportunity has been extended to Ifelodun Council this year.

“I wish to reiterate that the Bunmi and Bayo Babalola Foundation’s main aim is purely altruistic. The scheme could have been truncated as a result of Babalola’s many disappointments in politics. These disappointments have, however, not deterred him. But instead, what he planned to do if his political ambition had been realised, he has decided to pursue it with or without a political office. Thank God for his lovely, loving, and supportive wife without whom what we are witnessing today would not have been possible.”