Friday, February 27, 2009

Fawehinmi gives scholarships to 40 students
By Nkiru Okoye and Emelda Chinyere Nwosa

THOUGH Chief Gani Fawehinmi has been in a London hospital for more than six months, his scholarship project, set up in 1973, held its 36th edition yesterday where 40 Nigerians were awarded scholarships to pursue various courses in several Nigerian universities.

advertisement

The event, which took place at his chambers in Anthony Village, Lagos, was witnessed by many dignitaries and stakeholders in the education sector.

They include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, who was the chairman of the occasion; the special guest of honour, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo; traditional ruler of Ogwashi Ukwu and father of former Minister of Finance, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Prof. Omotoye Olorode, professor of botany of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who delivered a speech on the need to restructure the Nigerian educational system. Gani was represented by his first daughter, Basirat.

Commending the project, Okonjo urged rich Nigerians to emulate the Fawehinmi project. He also stressed that the Nigerian government can do better if individuals like Fawehinmi can be awarding scholarships to 40 indigent Nigerian students yearly.

Speaking at the ceremony Awuzie, who also chaired the event, decried the poor state of education in the country.

He also charged the students to rise up and fight against victimisation and exploitation, adding that the struggle was not just for the older generation like himself.

In the lecture delivered by Olorode, he said: "The cumulative and entrenched damage that had been done to educational sector was too much and the government owes Nigerians the responsibility to ensure good and quality education as is the case in other countries.

Highlight of the event was the handing over of cheques in the sum of N4 million to the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries could not hide their joy as they sang praises of Fawehinmi and prayed that he will have full recovery in good time.

Of the 40 beneficiaries, six are pursing law degrees, eight pursing degrees in medicine, three accounting, two English Language, two engineering, one mass communication, one pharmacy, one economics and one agricultural economics.