Nigerian Tribune reports that the Adesiyun-Olafimihan Foundation in Offa, Kwara State, has awarded its annual bursary to financially disadvantaged students in secondary and tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

This year’s event was especially significant as it marked the centenary of the foundation’s late founder, Chief (Mrs.) Felicia Adeola Adesiyun, a well-regarded school proprietress.

The bursary distribution included N50,000 awarded to each of 50 secondary school students, representing both Christian and Muslim communities. Additionally, 20 students from various higher institutions received N100,000 each as part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting education.

The exercise, which commenced in 2003 courtesy of Mrs Adesiyun, has now gulped more than N12 million.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director of Programmes, Professor Adeyinka Adesiyun, said that the Adesiyun Olafimihan Foundation bursary award was established in 2003 by the late Mrs Adesiyun as the two families’ (Adesiyun-Olafimihan) contributions to assist indigents students of Offa regardless of their religious faith in the pursuit of their educational career.

Professor Adesiyun who said that since the inception of the programme 21 years ago, beneficiaries of the exercise have occupied top positions in both public and private establishment.

He charged the beneficiaries to utilise the award for the purpose intended while they should also be good ambassadors of their parents and guardians, just as he warned them against joining cults and other related societies.

The coordinator of the programme, Professor Olusola Adesiyun, who is also a member of the board of the foundation, said the programme was established to encourage education among indigenes of Offa who are in secondary and tertiary institutions in the country.

One of the parents of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ajisomo Abdulganiyu, thanked the Adesiyun and Olatundun families for their gestures, promising to use the award wisely as she called on other patriotic, philanthropic and groups in the town to follow suit.

Also, one of the benefiting students, Master Toyosi James Adeniyi thanked the two families and promised to face his studies squarely.