Two physically challenged students, Ayinde Aloba of University of Ilorin and Abdulgafar Ahmad were amongsts the 22 students that received 2024 scholarship awards from the Ilorin Emirate Professor’s Association.
Each of the 22 beneficiaries of the annual scholarship scheme of the association got a cash of N100, 000, a certificate and copy of the Holy Qur’an.
Blueprint recalled that the association had in 2022 instituted the scholarship scheme with 10 students cashing away N250,000 each and a plot of land in malete.
Similarly, 20 students benefited from the scheme in 2023 bringing to 52, the total number of students that have so far benefited from the scheme from various higher institutions of learning
The Ilorin Emirate Professor’s Association is a body of Professors of the Ilorin Emirate dissents coming together to provide mentorship , promoting scholarship and encouraging good governance amongst others.
Speaking at the presentation of the scholarship at the association’s 6th annual general meeting held in Ilorin on Friday, IEPA outgoing president, professor Abdulfatai Olokoba, said that the association expanded the scope of scholarship scheme to 22 this year with the inclusion of two physically challenged persons to ensure inclusiveness .
He said the scholarship programme which the association had initiated since 2022, is being sustained with the sum of N10 million donated by the senator, representing Kwara central senatorial district, Saliu Mustapha.
Also speaking at the event, Mustapha who was amongst the three persons honoured with an award at the event, announced another N20 million donation to the association.
The senator said education and human capital development which the association had focused on, were key to the advancement of the Ilorin emirate, reasons for which he said he would continue to support them.
Other awardees who were also recognised for their contribution to the cause of IEPA included senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe and senator Rukayat Gbemisola Saraki who have both served at different times as senators representing Kwara central senatorial district.
In his paper titled “Level of Educational Advancement in Ilorin Emirate: Opportunities in Employment and Appointment”, Alhaji LAK Jimoh, renowned historian, and author of the book; ” Ilorin the Journey So Far”, Alhaji Lasisi Kolawole Jimoh charged professors and administrators of Ilorin dissents in various locations to ensure that they leave a positive footprints on sands of time wherever they hold sway.
He recalled that the early administrators who held sway decades ago in various positions of authorities at national level, were very passionate in uplifting the youg ones and also fixing them to positions of authorities,
saying such acts of patriotism should be sustained.