Osun Lawmaker, Olatunji Adopts Poor Student For Full Scholarship

A member of the Osun state House of Assembly representing Ife North State Constituency, Babatunde Olatunji, has advocated support of government and generous-spirited individuals for exceptional students in the society.

He observed that many exceptional students whose parents are poor and living in the rural areas need support of fellow citizens in the community.

The legislator made the call at Akinlalu High School, Akinlalu, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun state, when he visited the school to access the academic performance and pay the West Africa Examination Council, WAEC, fee of a student, Akanbi Adeola.

Speaking with the principal of the school, Mr. Morakinyo, Olatunji explained that his decision to sponsor Adeola was because of her exceptional performance and determination despite her financial challenges.

The legislator who said he was impressed by the commitment of the poor girl to become a lawyer, promised that he would be responsible for her school fee to the university level.

“I learnt that she is the overall best student in the school. I was told that she goes to school without food many times. There was a time her mother told her to go and learn tailoring because she couldn’t afford the school needs of less than N2,000. I decided to sponsor her till she finish her university education because of her commitment and seriousness.

The Principal of the school, Mr. Morakinyo, disclosed that Adeola emerged as senior girl because of her outstanding performance.

He appreciated the legislator for the gesture and advised other politicians to emulate Honourable Olatunji by extending the dividend of democracy to the rural areas, and particularly to the exceptional but poor students.

Reacting to the gesture, Adeola thanked the legislator for paying her WAEC fee and also promised to pay her National Examination Council, NECO, fee.

Adeola who explained that her father died 9 years ago, disclosed that her mother has been finding it difficult to feed her and her siblings.

“My mother is selling pap (ogi). My father died 9 years ago. I want to become a lawyer but my mother asked me to go and learn tailoring. She couldn’t pay my school fee.

“I thank God who sent Honourable Olatunji to me. He has been paying my school fees and providing for my education since he got to know about my condition last session without even knowing me or my family before. I am happy that he has come to pay for my WAEC fee today and I pray to God to bless him to fulfill his promise to pay my NECO fee and continue supporting my education as he has been doing.”

Adeola Akanbi joins the growing list of indigent but brilliant students adopted by the lawmaker under his ‘Tunde Olatunji schorlarship project.

Some of his adopted students are at various levels of education upto the University level. They currently run degree programmes in OAU,University of Ilorin,LAUTECH etc.

Indeed, Babatunde Olatunji’s passion for education, the youths and the indigent is giving hope to the hopeless, putting smiles on the faces of the poor and building a greater future for our youths.