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FUTA alumnus offers scholarships to 141 students

The 4th edition of Dr. (Engr.) Gbenga Ayodele Owolabi (Ph.D., PMP, FIMarEST CMarEng, CEng, AMRINA, ACIArb, MEI) annual scholarship awards under Renaissance Social Support and Development Initiative for the Indigents and Best Students in Federal University of Technology, Akure, took place on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the University auditorium. Dr. Gbenga Owolabi, is an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and has been given scholarships to the students of the Federal Government-owned institution for the past 6 years. The first and second editions took place in the years 2018 and 2020 with only fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) students awarded respectively from Physics department, while third edition was awarded to fifty (50) students across various departments in school of physical sciences, under 2 categories; Best/Highest C.G.P.A from 100-500 level and qualified indigent categories. Owolabi, who graduated as one of the best students from the Department of Physics, disclosed during the last School of Physical Sciences 2nd Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony on 15th June 2023, that the 2023/2024 scholarship awards would cut across the entire University as an improvement in the last 3 editions. This was however, fulfilled at the 4th edition (2023/2024) where over One Hundred and Forty-One (141) students from various departments at 200, 300, and 500 levels were awarded scholarships under two (2) award categories: Category 1: Best Students with the highest C.G.P.A (200, 300 and 500-Levels) Category 2: Indigent Students ![]() According to the alumnus, the gesture was aimed at assisting in the school fees as well as providing a stipend for selected indigent students and helping with their project works of those in their final year which project must be sustainable and display at the subsequent editions. However, the awardees that had collected the award for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th were given a standing ovation as they show consistency in their academic performances and would be added to the mentorship list of the donor. ![]() In his speech, he promised to wider the award list by also considering the outstanding lecturers at various departments as well as postgraduate students. Dr. Owolabi, a philanthropist also award scholarships and supports students at various tertiary institutions as well as secondary schools. He recently donated various materials to over 15 Government owned secondary schools and awarded scholarships to over forty-five (45) students at the just concluded Local Government annual quiz competition, which was highly commended by his state Government. Present at this year edition were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, duly represented by Deputy ViceChancellor (Development), Professor Oluyamo, Dean Students Affairs, Deans of various schools, Departmental Heads, Professors, Lecturers, the Alumni President worldwide duly represented by Dr. Olaitan Adesomoju (Governing Council member), Principal Officers, and most importantly, the awardees. On her part, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji who commended the donor, urged others who graduated from the university to emulate the gesture of Owolabi. She commended the efforts of the donor towards the alleviating the financial burdens of the students, stressing that such will go a long way in giving succor to indigent students as well as meeting some of their educational needs. She encouraged the recipients to see the gift as a seed that will yield fruits as they also will be able to do so for others in the near future by God’s grace. The Vice Chancellor urged them to be focused, diligent and be determined to succeed academically assuring the students of the commitment of the University Management to their welfare and progress. Dr. Gbenga Owolabi, was specially appreciated for apparently being the first alumnus that have singly awarded such scholarships to 141 students, a unique award by an individual in the history of the University. She equally praised the Alumni body worldwide, as this year has witnessed over six (6) scholarship awards individually and by alumni bodies globally. In a vote of thanks one of the beneficiaries, thanked Dr. Gbenga Owolabi for his kind contribution and promised that the students will work hard to win more grants and scholarship and make the University proud. |
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Peter Obi’s Comparison of Nigeria’s Educational System With Bangladesh, Turkiye
Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas of development and in the Human Development Index (HDI).

Peter Obi wrote on his X( Twitter) : “I just came across the official results from JAMB showing the recent exam figures.
In the data shared by JAMB, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the exam.
Shockingly, out of this number, only about 420,000 candidates scored above 200, while over 1.5 million scored below 200.
This means that over 78% of the total candidates failed to meet the 200-mark threshold — a reflection of the deep-rooted challenges in our educational system.
The latest JAMB results once again highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy.
Currently, Nigeria’s total university enrollment stands at approximately 2 million students.
By comparison, the National University of Bangladesh — a single university — has over 3.4 million students enrolled, despite the country having only about 75% of Nigeria’s population.
One university in Bangladesh surpasses the entire university enrollment in Nigeria.
Bangladesh, which once lagged behind Nigeria in virtually every measurable development index, now surpasses us in all key areas of development and in the Human Development Index (HDI).
Similarly, Turkey (now Turkiye), with a population of about 87.7 million people, has over 7 million university students — more than three times Nigeria’s total university enrollment.
I have consistently said it: education is not just a social service; it is a strategic investment.
It is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty.
We must now invest aggressively in education — at all levels — if we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria.”
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BREAKING: Cardinal Robert Prevost elected new Pope

The Catholic Church has a new leader. Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American-born cleric and seasoned Vatican official, has been elected Pope, taking the name Leo XIV.
The announcement was made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday following the traditional white smoke signaling the successful conclusion of the papal conclave.
Prevost, 69, becomes the first American-born Pope in the Church’s two-thousand-year history, marking a significant moment for Catholics in the United States and around the world.
He succeeds Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Order of St. Augustine and is widely respected for his quiet but firm leadership style, deep theological grounding and global pastoral experience.
In 2023, Prevost was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing the selection and supervision of bishops around the world.
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BREAKING: Catholic Church elects new Pope

White smoke has been detected from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signalling the election of a new Pope by the Catholice church.
The new Pope will replace the late Pope Francis who died last month at the age of 88.
However, the identity of the new pope was not immediately made known as the pontiff’s name has yet to be announced.
The white smoke flowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on the second day of the Conclave shortly after 1pm on Thursday.
The white smoke signalled that one of the candidates for the pontificate had obtained the necessary two-thirds majority for election.
Details soon….
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