A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Onono Onimisi Foundation (OOF), has provided Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for some underprivileged students across Kogi State’s three senatorial zones to support their access to higher education.
Speaking to journalists weekend in Lokoja, the founder of the foundation, Onono Onimisi Rafatu, explained that the initiative aims to bridge the educational gap in underserved areas by offering disadvantaged youths the opportunity to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Onono, a student at Bayero University Kano’s Faculty of Education, revealed that her motivation stemmed from the harsh reality that many young people in Kogi State face to access education due to financial difficulties.
“My aspirations arise from the unfortunate reality that numerous Kogites are deprived of basic access to education due to financial constraints,” she said.
“Yet, unknown to them, there are students across various universities who self-fund their education, overcoming myriad challenges and ultimately achieving success.”
She added that her personal journey serves as proof that determination and divine intervention can help students succeed despite financial hardships.
Onono explained that the selection process was based on academic qualifications, including WAEC results, school certificates, and attestations.
She clarified that aside from covering the JAMB registration costs, the foundation would also provide study materials in PDF format, including past questions, to help beneficiaries prepare effectively.
“The primary objective of the foundation is to champion the cause of education. It would be a source of immense joy if other organizations or government bodies could extend their support to ensure that the number of educated individuals in Kogi State continues to grow,” she said.
She further emphasized that the initiative aims to identify and support students who are genuinely committed to their studies and aspire to contribute meaningfully to society.
Despite the success of the initiative, Onono acknowledged the significant challenges the foundation faced, particularly financial constraints and unfulfilled promises from potential donors.
“The foundation is still in its infancy. Our initial goal was to fundraise for at least 200 students, but in the end, through divine intervention, we were only able to register 40 students,” she said.
She called on individuals, other NGOs, and government agencies to support the initiative, either by raising awareness, providing recommendations, or offering financial assistance.
“The only feasible way for us to achieve our goals is through the involvement of the general public and key stakeholders who can help us secure funding and grants,” she noted.
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