Ooni Of Ife Gifts Students, Innovative Lecturers N19m

Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has awarded cash gifts of N19 million to outstanding graduating students and innovative lecturers of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, during the institution’s convocation ceremony held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The monarch, who is also the permanent chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, announced the awards at the ceremony as part of his commitment to promoting academic excellence, innovation and technological advancement in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The overall best graduating student, Kemisola Yusuf, a Microbiology graduate who recorded a cumulative grade point average of 3.87, received a cash prize of N6 million from the royal father.

In addition, six best graduating students from the institution’s six faculties were awarded N1.5 million each, while two lecturers emerged as winners of the Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Award for Innovation and Technology, receiving N2 million each.

At the event, Oba Ogunwusi, an alumnus of the institution, commended the management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, for sustaining the legacy of academic excellence for which the school was renowned during his time as a student.

Describing the institution as the foundation of his life, the Ooni recalled his years as an accountancy student at the polytechnic about three decades ago.

“This citadel of learning remains my foundation in life. I left this great institution 30 years ago as an accountancy student, and it is a thing of joy to reconnect with my foundation today, three decades after my graduation,” he said.

The monarch also reminisced about his student days, noting that he never imagined his future while navigating campus life at the time.

“Many years ago, I remember my days in Unity Hall and Ramat Hall, facing the realities of studentship without knowing what the future held for me. Today, by the grace of God, I am the Ooni of Ife,” he added.