A total of 877 secondary school students and undergraduates on Thursday received scholarships from the Bayo and Bunmi Babalola Foundation (BBBF) in Kwara State.
The co-founder of BBBF, Engr. Sunday Babalola, gave out the scholarships to the beneficiaries during the 10th edition of the scheme in Omu-Aran, Irepodun local government area of the state.
Babalola said that the beneficiaries included 103 students in Junior Secondary School class 3, 140 students in Senior Secondary School class, 338 other secondary school students, and 296 undergraduates in tertiary institutions.
He added that scholarships for SS3 and JSS3 covered their examination fees and normal charges, while the scholarships for undergraduates covered their tuition and other expenses.
He stated that with the current 877 and 2,504 beneficiaries from the first edition to the past nine editions, no fewer than 3,381 secondary school students and undergraduates had benefitted from scheme.
Babalola commended his wife, Mrs Christiana Bunmi Babalola, who is a co-founder and co-sponsor of the scheme, their children, the organising committee, religious and traditional rulers as well as other people involved in the administration of the scheme from its inception to the 10th edition.
He said it was disheartening that Nigeria is still ranked high among countries with high out-of-school children in spite of the humongous amount announced by successive governments, oth at the federal and the state levels, on educational investment.
Noting that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stated that Nigeria has 20.2 million out-of-school children, the philanthropist called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to address the challenge.
He particularly called on the government to be alive to its education responsibilities, adding that no nation can grow more than its educational status.
He also decried the high unemployment and underemployment level as well as economic challenges facing Nigerians, especially the out-of-school children.
Babalola said there was the need for government to invest more in education in Kwara state.
He called for merit in the recruitment of educational personnel to improve on the quality of education.
In her remarks, Mrs Christiana Bunmi Babalola expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the programme for a decade despite economic challenges.
She commended her husband, the organising committee for their unwavering commitment to youth development through education.
The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti praised the foundation for its contributions to educational development in the state.
He said: “Those who use their resources to help others are the true rich”, adding that Engineer Babalola has brightened many homes through this scholarship initiative.
Similarly, the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede, described the foundation’s efforts as a model for community-driven educational empowerment.
The national president of Omu-Aran Development Association, Mr. Omoniyi Adeyeye, urged other wealthy Indigenes to emulate the Babalolas.
