FUTA Alumnus, Gbenga Owolabi Offers 141 Indigent Students Scholarships

The 4th edition of Dr. (Engr.) Gbenga Ayodele Owolabi (Ph.D., PMP, FIMarEST CMarEng, CEng, AMRINA, ACIArb, MEI) annual scholarship awards under the Renaissance Social Support and Development Initiative for the Indigents and Best Students in Federal University of Technology, Akure, took place on Thursday, 15 August at the University auditorium.

Dr. Owolabi, an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, has been given scholarships to the students of the Federal Government-owned institution for the past six years.

The maiden and second editions took place in the years 2018 and 2020 with only fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) students awarded respectively from Physics department, while third edition was awarded to fifty (50) students across various departments in school of physical sciences, under 2 categories; Best/Highest C.G.P.A from 100-500 level and qualified indigent categories.

Owolabi, who graduated as one of the Best Students from the Department of Physics, disclosed during the last School of Physical Sciences 2nd Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony on 15th June 2023, that the 2023/2024 scholarship awards would cut across the entire University as an improvement in the last 3 editions.

This was however, fulfilled at the 4th edition (2023/2024) where over One Hundred and Forty-One (141) students from various departments at 200, 300, and 500 levels were awarded scholarships under two (2) award categories:

Category 1: Best Students with the highest C.G.P.A (200, 300 and 500-Levels)

Category 2: Indigent Students

According to the alumnus, the gesture was aimed at assisting in the school fees as well as providing a stipend for selected indigent students and helping with their project works of those in their final year which project must be sustainable and display at the subsequent editions.

However, the awardees that had collected the award for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th were given a standing ovation as they show consistency in their academic performances and would be added to the mentorship list of the donor.

In his speech, he promised to wider the award list by also considering the outstanding lecturers at various departments as well as postgraduate students.

Dr. Owolabi, a philanthropist also award scholarships and supports students at various tertiary institutions as well as secondary schools.

He recently donated various materials to over 15 Government owned secondary schools and awarded scholarships to over forty-five (45) students at the just concluded Local Government annual quiz competition, which was highly commended by his state Government.

Present at this year edition were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, duly represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development), Professor Oluyamo, Dean Students Affairs, Deans of various schools, Departmental Heads, Professors, Lecturers, the Alumni President worldwide duly represented by Dr. Olaitan Adesomoju (Governing Council member), Principal Officers, and most importantly, the awardees.

On her part, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji who commended the donor, urged others who graduated from the university to emulate the gesture of Owolabi.

She commended the efforts of the donor towards the alleviating the financial burdens of the students, stressing that such will go a long way in giving succor to indigent students as well as meeting some of their educational needs.

She encouraged the recipients to see the gift as a seed that will yield fruits as they also will be able to do so for others in the near future by God’s grace.

The Vice Chancellor urged them to be focused, diligent and be determined to succeed academically assuring the students of the commitment of the University Management to their welfare and progress.

Dr. Owolabi was specially appreciated for apparently being the first alumnus that have singly awarded such scholarships to 141 students, a unique award by an individual in the history of the University.

She equally praised the Alumni body worldwide, as this year has witnessed over six (6) scholarship awards individually and by alumni bodies globally.

In a vote of thanks one of the beneficiaries, thanked the Dr. Gbenga Owolabi for his kind contribution and promised that the students will work hard to win more grants and scholarship and make the University proud.