As part of efforts to promote academic excellence and give back to the people of Boripe, Ifelodun and Odo-Otin Federal Constituencies, a Lagos lawyer and founder of the Ayodele Musibau Kusamotu Foundation, Mr. Ayodele Kusamotu, recently organised an English Language essay competition in Osun State, which saw Master Adeyemo Adeshina of Shekina College, Inisha, Odo-Otin emerge the overall winner.
Adeshina was among the 660 students from 15 schools in the senior secondary category from public and private schools that participated in the examination written on August 19 at the Holy Trinity Middle High School, Ikirun, Osun State.
At the prize-giving ceremony held recently, N25,000 cash with a merit certificate was presented to 32 successful candidates by the Akinrun of Ikirun Land, Oba Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji II on behalf of the founder and sole financier of the foundation.
Out of 40 students that sat for the examination, eight were disqualified, but were reconsidered by the founder after the royal fathers at the event pleaded on their behalf. He promised to present their award in November.
The candidates were instructed to write 450 word essays on topics like ‘Poverty: Causes, Effects and Solutions in Nigeria’ and ‘Factors Responsible for Bad Leadership and Solutions.’
In his remarks, Kusamotu said the best legacy one can give to the youth is education, adding that such empowerment equips them for the future and brings about healthy rivalry.
He urged the students to be studious and focused so as to succeed in their chosen fields of study, adding that the foundation would continue to prioritise the welfare of the people of Odo-Otin, Boripe and Ifelodun Federal Constituencies.
The Coordinator, Mr. Rauf Oloyede said the essence of the competition is to reward academic excellence and to support the less privileged in the society.
“Aside the awards to the students, the foundation also supported some individuals with different challenges. Mr. Tijani Musibau from Ikirun was supported with N50,000 over a fire incident that razed his house. Mrs. Sikirat Agboola from Eko-Ende township and Mrs. Agboola Abimbola from Iba township also got N25,000 each.â€
The guest speaker and son of a former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Mr. Goke Omotola in his paper, ‘Dare to be Different’, urged the students to brace up for the academic challenges ahead of them, saying that only those who dare to be different with improved academic performance and dedication will be reckoned with in the society.
Other runners-up in the essay competition are Sheu Ayotunde of Unique International School; Oyebode Deborah of Intellectuals Academy; and Adeyemi Adebayo of Kidvarc Group of Schools.
