A United States of America based non-profit organization, Global Health and Indigent Care Foundation (GHICF), has given out cash awards and other education materials worth N17.7million to outstanding students in Ayetoro Gbede and Igbaruku communities, Kogi state, Nigeria.
GHICF, founded by Dr Samuel Oloyo and his wife, Mrs Julie Olufunmilola Oloyo, also honoured school teachers at the recently held the third edition of its annual Scholarship and Educational Assistance Program (SEAP) award ceremony at Ayetoro Gbede.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Dr. Samuel Oloyo, said the vision of the GHICF is to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) which are technical disciplines.
Represented by his older brother, Pastor Lawrence Sunday Oloyo, the GHICF President maintained that the Foundation decided to focus on public schools only to target children that are financially challenged.
He expressed joy that GHICF’s effort has yielded positive result since its commencement.
“As we reiterated during the second award ceremony, the programme is designed to identify candidates that excel in the academic performance on the STEM subjects and use of English. This is more so in those individuals who are financially challenged and would otherwise be hindered in the pursuit of their academic goals with financial assistance. The impact of the Program is evident upon review of the lists of previous beneficiaries and how the program has helped them in their chosen careers.
“We have candidates earning first Class degrees in the graduating exams and several others excelling in fields such as Medicine and Engineering. This is a fulfillment of the goals and objectives of GHICF,” he said.
Chairman, Scholarship and Educational Assistance Programme (SEAP), Richard Olonishuwa explained that the aim of the scholarship programme was to encourage the study of STEM at the secondary and tertiary institutions by providing financial assistance to alleviate the burden of school fees payment.
According to him, this year’s edition was merit-driven, hence the donation of tablets to students who scored first position in STEM and English language subjects as well as award scholarship to tertiary institution students from the communities with 3.5 CGPA and above.
He pointed out that cash awards was also given teachers and schools that produce students with 70% in STEM external examination to encourage them to do more.
“It is the hope of the Committee and the Board that these various awards will encourage the students, parents and respective school management to continue to strive for excellence in their studies. In this way, many more students would be motivated to gravitate towards studying more STEM related courses which will enable the students from the 2 communities to be exposed to advancement in science and technology where present and future completion lies,” Olonishuwa said.
Secretary of the Scholarship and Educational Assistance Programme (SEAP), Prince Richard Akanmode described the programme as a timely and impactful intervention which has over the last three year’s improved the passion for STEM related subjects.
Prince Akanmode called for more support for public schools in the State, urging well-to-do individuals and corporate bodies to invest in STEM education.
About 20 tablets were distributed to some outstanding secondary school students, while school bag packs were given to Junior and senior secondary school students who came first, second and third positions with students with 3.5 CGPA from tertiary schools getting cash reward raging from N300,000 to N100, 000.
Kogi State Commissioner of Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, in a remark, applauded GHICF for demonstrating interest in the development of education, saying it is in line with the schools adoption and mentorship programme of the state’s Ministry of Education.
The Commissioner applauded GHICF for promoting academic excellence, noting that education is primary in the agenda of the present administration, hence the 30% budgetary allocation to the sector which he noted necessitated to the free education at primary and secondary school levels as well as free external examination.
While urging the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture with hard work and dedication to their studies, the Commissioner commended the Foundation for caring for the academic needs of the less privileged in the society.
