Wale Jagun
Six best students in Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, on Monday, received Tablets donated to the school by Prof. Olanrewaju Shitta – Bey, a Professor of Philosophy & Humanities, University of Maryland, Global Campus, United States of America (USA).
The presentation of the educational materials marked the 50th birthday anniversary of the scholar, and part of educational support activities of the Prof. Shitta – Bey, in honouring the memory of his late mother, Alhaja Shakirat Enifeni, through his foundation, Shikirat Enifeni Foundation.
A total of 12 tablets were donated to both the senior and junior arms of the premier college in Ikorodu Division, which also happens to be the scholar’s alma mata.
Best students in Science, Arts and Commercial Departments in SSS 3 and SSS 2, were presented with a tablet each.
Other three students in SSS 1, will receive theirs when they resumed, while the Oriwu Junior Model College, Ikorodu, was also given three tablets for presentation to their best students.
The beneficiary of the tablets are: Olorunda Oladimeji Samuel, the best student in Science Department (SSS 2) with 11As and 2Bs; Afolabi Amirat, the best student in Commercial Department with 10As and 3Bs and Okelarin Victor, best student in Arts Department with 7As and 6Bs.
Others are: Bada Abdusallam Alade, the best student in Science Department (SSS 1) with 11As and 2Bs, Adedeji Arafat Oluwa, best student in Commercial with 4 As and 9Bs and Adewunmi Oluwagbemiga Joseph, best student in Arts 9As and 4Bs.
Speaking at the brief presentation, Prof. Shitta – Bey thanked the school, especially the Principal of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, Mr Bello Akeem Oladimeji, for sustaining the legacy of the premier college.
Stating the gifts are meant to encourage the students and make them perform better, Kunle Adelabu, who represented the donor and who is also an alumni of the school, also assured the school that the gesture would not be a one – off.
“This is a great and rare privilege to stand before you today on behalf Prof. Olanrewaju Shillat – Bey. Incidentally, today happens to be his birthday. We want to thank the school, the Principal in particular, and the entire staff of the school, for the opportunity to present this to you”, he said.
“This is just a token from him to appreciate the excellence which the alma mata is known for, and to encourage you to improve on your performance, because there is always room for improvement.
“Presentation of these tablets is also part of the educational support activities of the Prof, through his foundation, and I can assure you that this is not going to be a one – off thing. Thank you”, he assured.
The Principal of the school, Mr Bello Akeem, expressing his appreciation, said that he was impressed by Prof. Shitta – Bey, on his first meeting with him, especially his assessment of the school’s performance.
Mr Bello, who said that the school is proud to associate with the scholar, also prayed for him.
“I am highly glad to know Prof. Shitta Bey. I have been here for the past three years, and I was opportuned to meet him around June this year”, he recalled.
“When he came, I was impressed by his evaluation of our performances, and for the fact that he is an old student. His decision to give our students tablets, is highly commendable and I am happy about it.
“His name has been added to the list of mentors of our students who are potential OCOSANs. This will go a long way in encouraging our students to do more.
“This gesture is to let them know that when they too get to such esteemed position as Prof. Shitta-Bey, in the nearest future, they would also be able to give back.
“I also pray that today that he is celebrating his 50th birthday, that God in his infinite mercy, will bless him and his family more, and grants him long life and prosperity. I wish him all the best in life.
“We are happy to associate with him”, Mr Bello said.
Mrs Adedeji Abiodun, mother of Adedeji Arafat, who was at the presentation, expressed her happiness and thanked to the donor.
“I feel so happy that she is one of the students receiving a tablet for academic performance”, she said.
“When I was called yesterday to come to the school today, I felt somehow because I don’t know the reason for that, but Alhamdullilahi, that she’s one of the students benefitting from this.
“We really appreciate the donor and may the Almighty Allah continue to bless him and his family “, she prayed.
Another recipient’s mother, Mrs Bada Mistura, also speaking with THE IMPACT, said:
“Of course, I am very happy and grateful to the donor”, she said.
“I didn’t expect it, because you never can tell what this child can do. I know that public schools are facing many challenges and the generation nowadays don’t want to do anything, but seeing that my son is one of those striving to be the best, I am very happy and grateful to the person that sent them the tablets.
“May the Almighty Allah be with him and bless him beyond his expectations”, she prayed.
Okelarin Victor,16 years old, a student of Humanities/Arts Department who is one of the recipients, speaking, said that he is appreciative of the Prof. Shitta – Bey’s gesture.”
“I feel happy and appreciative. I am appreciative in the sense that he has done a lot for me with the donation of this tablet.
“I am now in SSS 3, and about to write my WAEC, everyone should be expecting excellence results from me”.
Another recipient, Adedeji Arafat Oluwaseunfunmi, the best student in Commercial Department, said that her emergence as best student makes her excited and overwhelmed.
“I feel overwhelmed and excited, because I have worked very hard for it, and I feel very happy that I got it.”, she said.
“My parents and teachers should expect more of this from me, and I promise to be of my best. I will keep this up.
“I want to say a very big thank you to the donor, Prof. Shitta – Bey. Thank you very much for the donation that you have made to our school, and we promise to make very good use of the tablets”, she said.
Olorunda Oladimeji Samuel, best student in Science Department (SSS 2), in his own remarks, also appreciated the donor and called for such gesture every session.
“I feel very good receiving this, and I think that this kind of thing should be done every session so that it would encourage students to improve on their grades and give those that are not doing well in class reason to try harder”, he said.
“They should be expecting Distinctions; As in all subjects in my WAEC examinations and something above 330 in my JAMB.
“To Prof. Shitta – Bey, God will continue to provide for him. He is not going to lack, and God will continue to uplift him wherever he is”, he prayed.
