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By Sola Rotimi
In a bid to motivate the next generation of scholars, graduating students from eight public secondary schools in the Offa community were recently hosted at a maiden graduation ceremony and empowerment programme.
The event was organized by the Offa Development Union, North America (ODUNA) under its newly launched Shine-Through Education (STE) Initiative. The programme is designed to revitalize academic excellence and drive community development within the region.
The beneficiary schools included:Offa Grammar School, Moremi High School, Ansar-ud-deen College, Saint Claire’s College, Iyeru Okin Grammar School and Okin High School.
During the ceremony, the Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Ologungbebe and the Chairman of Offa Local Government, Alh. Suleiman Olatunji commended the Union. They praised the diaspora group for bolstering the State government’s efforts in the education sector and broader community development.
The Oloffa of Offa, Ọba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, also emphasized the importance of such gestures. He urged well-meaning members of society to emulate the Union by encouraging youth, particularly indigent students who are striving for a better future despite financial hardships.
Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the President of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Dr. Muideen Salako, noted that the Association is working closely with its North American chapter to provide a lifeline for students.
”We are celebrating excellence. Some of these students are exceptionally brilliant, but their parents cannot afford to send them to institutions of higher learning. ODUNA, in collaboration with ODU National, is providing scholarships to ensure these children reach their potential. We believe that tomorrow, they will return to give back to the community,” Salako stated.
ODUNA President, Alh. Abdulamajeed Lawal, added that the progress of Nigerians abroad is best measured by their impact at home. He noted that the initiative focuses on identifying top performers in government-owned schools to set a high standard for their peers.
”We have provided several scholarships for university and secondary school students, even in areas of leadership and discipline,” Lawal said. “By rewarding these students, we are motivating others to work hard so they too can become beneficiaries.”
From left: ODUNA Secretary, Dr. Khadijat Ige; Treasurer, Alh. Nasiru Akanmu; President, Alh. Abdulamajeed Lawal and ODUNA Canada representative, Mr. Lewis Oladunmoye
Responding on behalf of their institutions, several students shared how the STE Initiative has challenged them to look beyond the classroom.
”The initiative has given us an opportunity to think differently. I learned that education is not just about grades, but about encouraging individuals to ‘shine their light,'” one student remarked. Others noted that the programme inspired them to embrace skills acquisition and build leadership capacity.
There were goodwill messages from the former leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers( NURTW) Alh. Nasirudeen Yasin and his wife; Chief Imam of Offa and the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Harmony FM reports that the event featured a series of lectures delivered by resourceful members of the Union, culminating in the presentation of awards and scholarships to the community’s most outstanding students.
