By Taiwo Oguniyi
The Oyo State Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, along with her siblings, has launched an education support scheme to honor the memory of their late parents by supporting 30 underprivileged students.
Speaking to journalists in Ilorin on Monday, Mrs. Oni, née Ogunkeyede, explained that the initiative was designed to immortalize their parents, Late Chief Joshua Adedeji and Chief Racheal Jolade Ogunkeyede, who instilled in their children the importance of giving back to the less privileged.
“Our parents had a deep commitment to charitable causes and educational advancement, and we are following in their footsteps with this education support scheme,” Oni said.
According to her, the scheme aims to reduce the financial burden on underprivileged students, offering support of N50,000 and above to help cover costs such as school bags, uniforms, textbooks, and tuition fees.
She noted that the Ogunkeyede family, originally from Esa Oke in Osun State, introduced the scheme in response to the economic challenges facing many Nigerian families, stressing that small financial barriers should not prevent students from continuing their education.
“We have witnessed how something as simple as not being able to afford school supplies can derail a student’s education,” she added.
The family has a history of educational philanthropy, having previously instituted a scholarship program at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Esa Oke, for indigent youths who excel in their Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams and gain admission to tertiary institutions.
Oni revealed that 30 beneficiaries would be selected from 50 applicants, with the family ensuring fairness by not selecting two individuals from the same family.
“We will provide financial support to students at various levels of education—primary, secondary, and tertiary. This is part of our commitment to helping young people achieve their educational goals,” she said.
She also urged well-meaning Nigerians to support such initiatives and partner with the government at all levels to develop the education sector through human capital development.
Oni called on the Federal, State, and Local governments to coordinate their efforts and avoid duplicating services to maximize impact.
Oni further encouraged private individuals to set up similar programs to support education and healthcare, emphasizing that more lives could be transformed through these efforts.
“Although the support scheme is not yet registered as an NGO, plans for formal registration are in progress,” she concluded, noting that the program is open to all students, regardless of region or religion.