A scholarship awarding and Non Governmental Organisation has called on students of the Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State strive in meeting the needs of indigent students around them in order to assist in reducing the rate of dropouts in Nigeria.
Mr Joshua Aluko, the founder of the foundation gave the charge on Tuesday while addressing the students and staff at the university auditorium.
He asked the undergraduates to be selfless and empathic towards the plights of the poor.
He said GPF was established to provide scholarship opportunities to indigent students and offer professional trainings to support none indigent ones who are members of the foundation.
According to him, “If you want to be great, you have to reach out to others. You have to meet the needs of other people. Whatever you give comes back. You have to believe in the law of sowing and reaping. So, this is why we chose to be there for others. No matter how small, help people in need even without soliciting.”
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olabode Popoola lauded the foundation for bringing the opportunity to the University students.
Also speaking, Professor Oladele Popoola, the University Director of Research and Linkage declared that it is not a crime to be poor and also lend his voice to the call for selflessness among the students.
“It is not a crime to be poor. The Great People Foundation is doing a very great job. What they are doing is bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, thereby reducing crime and criminal activities.” He stressed.
Corroborating Prof Oladele, the Dean of Students Affairs of the University, Dr. Oluseye Abiona noted that there are a lot of people that are in financial trauma, adding that there are students who could not afford to pay their school fees and automatically have extra year. He commended the brain behind the programme and pointed out that the Vice Chancellor and other staffers of the University equally offer bursaries to indigent students in the institution.
“A lot of people are in financial trauma. This is why we have to appreciate this group. Even the VC gave out 10 bursary to needy students. So also, other lecturers in the University are doing this. The more you give, the more you are blessed,” the don remarked.
Supported by Etisalat and other private individuals, the foundation had awarded scholarship to no fewer than ten students within and outside UNIOSUN.
Meanwhile, many students of the university bagged valuable incentives from the foundation and freely sought for it’s scholarship.
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