FOMAF Project 70 Co-Founder Olowo Cautions Students Against ‘October Rush’

Co-founder of FOMAF Project 70, Mrs Stella Olowo, has advised students to beware of ‘October Rush’ syndrome in schools, especially in high institutions of learning.

FOMAF Project 70 is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that specialises in giving out education scholarships to the less-privileged students.

Mrs. Olowo gave the advice over the weekend in Lagos during the award of additional 10 scholarships to students of primary, secondary and higher institutions across the country through the FOMAF Project 70.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Positive Mindset,’ Olowo admonished the beneficiaries of the scholarships to show more dedication to their education and avoid the temptation of “October rush syndrome” in schools.

She stated that through this syndrome, some students had derailed from their educational pursuits, while their future ambitions had also been cut short.

‘October rush’ in Nigeria, coincides with the start of the new school year on campus. It is a moment where older students in schools show affection to the naïve new intakes, mainly females.

She also encouraged the beneficiaries of the scholarship, which is in its third edition to concentrate solely on their education, threatening that the scholarship may be withdrawn from any student who performs below the academic standards.

She added that with positive mindsets, the students would become great in the future, maintaining that the NGO wanted a better tomorrow for indigent pupils.

She further urged the beneficiaries of the scholarship to be good ambassadors of FOMAF Project 70.

In all, no fewer than 50 students have benefitted from the scholarships so far, which cut across all courses in higher institutions in the country, primary and secondary schools.

She said: “Some of the beneficiaries are doing well and for those who are not doing well, we keep on talking to them, just as I have done today (Saturday). The experience of my husband created the avenue for this project.

“He had a very difficult background being a son of a clergyman. The father was unable to pay for his education and he had to get loans with interests to pay back. So, when he celebrated his 70th birthday almost three years ago, he decided to open this NGO to help the education development of the less privileged.

“In Nigeria you will hardly see people with the intent to help others, but we made up our minds to impact on the society with this project and others that we do.

“We have a team, which selects beneficiaries for this scholarship. They go through a series of stages before they are chosen and it’s only the brilliant ones among them that we eventually pick.”

Master John Joel-Talake, 21, one of the beneficiaries and a 300-level law student of University of Lagos (UNILAG), expressed delight with the scholarship.

Joel-Talake, lauded the sponsors of the programme for their intent to improve the educational pursuit of indigent students across the country.

“I want to thank the sponsors for thinking it good to come up with this idea. I pray God replenishes them as they contribute to society. Their effort of bettering our lives is a good legacy and well-appreciated. This scholarship has acted as a succour to us, especially at these trying moments.”

Also, Miss Rachael Aremu-Kolawole, 15, Senior Secondary School (SSS) student in a private school in Lagos, said FOMAF Project 70 was changing lives with the initiative.

According to her, the scholarship had reduced the burden on her mum who solely catered for the family in the absence of her father.

“I am encouraging them to do more because they are changing lives” she said.

The event was attended by parents of the successful beneficiaries, some well-wishers and the media.