FOMAF Project 70, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has offered scholarship to 18 indigent students in Lagos State.
The scholarship, an initiative of InterGuide Academy, gave certificates to the indigent students at a ceremony held in Lagos yesterday to the administration of their parents and guardians.
Judith Rhodes-Vivour, the Coordinator of the project, said that the beneficiaries were drawn from different areas in the state.
The breakdown of the beneficiaries indicated that eight of them were undergraduates, additional eight in Junior Secondary School (JSS) and another two in the Senior Secondary School (SSS).
Speaking at the event, Dr. Gbenga Olowo, the Founder of FOMAF Project 70, said that the beneficiaries were dared to him.
Olowo recalled his humble beginning, but said that despite this, he was not daunted; rather, the situation emboldened him to be focused and face the situation thoroughly.
He urged the beneficiaries be focused and show dedication to their studies.
He said that the scholarship was to help the indigent children to attain their goals and admonished them to always put God first in all they do.
He added: “The scholarship programme has been on since I turned 70 last year and this is the second scholarship award. Last year’s 25 scholarships were awarded. This year we are giving out 18. It is by the grace of God. If you say you love God and you serve God, you must love people.
“Everybody’s life needs a destiny helper. Because the way I came into life, jumping from one house to the other, people helping my parents to nurture me makes me who I am today.
“Like you heard in my statement that His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife will recognise the son of a wretched man like me to be put in the hall of fame. That can only happen by the hand of God. That inspired me when I turned 70 almost two years ago. I decided that people will climb through me wherever God has destined them to be and that is what propelled me.”
Olowo explained that the awardees went through rigorous selection process, stressing that no fewer than 80 students applied for the exercise.
He, however, warned that any of the students who failed to keep the excellent academic record would be dropped among the beneficiaries in the future.
Earlier, Mrs. Biso Olowo, the Co-founder of FOMAF Project 70, urged the beneficiaries not to be carried away by the good things of life and to always take their education as a priority.
She warned them against joining secret cults and various inimical associations, which could derail them.
The event was attended by parents of the successful beneficiaries, some well-wishers and the media.
