The second edition of the Great Ife Alumni Association, Dallas-Branch scholarship initiative, otherwise known as the Dallas Scholars Award 2025, has been held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile –Ife with the award of scholarships to 104 students, spanning all 13 faculties of the University.
According to the association, the scholarship award began in 2024 and is worth 20.8 million naira for the 2025 academic year.
While speaking with the media, the President of the Dallas Branch, Mr Dolapo Ajayi, explained the scholarship‘s competitive nature. He stated that the committee received 1,350 applications for the 2025 edition, including submissions from students from other tertiary institutions. He highlighted the alum body’s readiness to foster educational support.
The Scholarship Chairman of the Dallas Branch, Tokunbo Adejuyigbe, welcomed the beneficiaries into the Dallas Scholars Cohort and emphasised the importance of introducing them to the cohort mentoring program, which aims to provide holistic support to the recipients. It‘s a harsh world; we want to be there for you. When you look back, we want you to remember Dallas,” he said.
The former president of Dallas Branch and now OAU Alumni United States President, Adeolu Esho, noted that “Dallas Branch aims to challenge other branches in the USA, UK including Nigeria to be united in supporting academically determined students who possess good character. Interestingly, those yet to complete their degree programmes will continue to receive the benefit of the scholarship till the graduate as long as they maintain the standard and requisites.“
During the 48th Obafemi Awolowo University Convocation ceremony 2024, Vice Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire singled out two alumni branches, Dallas and Great Ife Mainland Metro (GIMM), for their sustained and commendable efforts to develop the University.
At the ceremony, Professor Yomi Daramola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), who represented the Vice Chancellor, expressed profound gratitude to God and the Dallas Alumni Branch for their commitment to academic excellence with the scholarship award.
