The annual scholarship award organized for Best 200 level students in each school of the Federal University of Technology, Akure for 2021/2022 academic session and sponsored by the FUTA Alumni in the Diaspora held on Thursday 25th May, 2023 with nine students benefiting.
The Lead and representative of the Alumni, Professor Henry Fadamiro, Associate Vice President for Research, Texas A&M University, USA while addressing the recipients urged them to always strive for excellence because excellence is not an act, but a habit. He said “always cultivate the culture of excellence by stepping up to excellence in your studies. That you have done well in 100 level is not enough, do more in subsequent years to attain ultimate academic excellence.”
Fadamiro who graduated in 1989 described FUTA as a great institution with proud alumni doing well all over the world. He said FUTA is a Global Brand envied by other universities. He commended the leadership of the university under the watch of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji and gave kudos to the University Advancement Centre (UAC) for assisting in selecting the recipients for the 3rd edition of the scholarship.
He also appreciated his co alumni for the spirit of give-back which is also a form of mentorship to the young and upcoming ones. “Students should not look at the monetary value and gain alone, but what comes after in terms of mentorship which will go a long way to reshape them for the future. Great wealth is in human capital development”, he added.
In her address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Taiwo Amos, commended the effort of the alumni in the diaspora for sustaining the scholarship started in 2019. She said “without any doubt, the step taken to reward the best student in each School in the university is a laudable initiative. This incentive would motivate other students to work harder and also promote healthy competition among students. I believe strongly that whatever is given today would significantly impact on the lives of our students. Considering the global economic melt-down, inflation and cash crunch, it takes a very serious commitment to provide the kind of support we are witnessing today. Hence, on behalf of the management, I express sincere appreciation for this gesture. May God continue to replenish you and multiply His blessings upon your lives and families.”
To the recipients she said “ensure that when you are out of FUTA, you align with the Alumni Association and also develop the culture of giving. Always remember how happy you are today and put a smile on the faces of others too. If we all learn to share, the world will be a better place.”
Speaking earlier, the Director, University Advancement Centre (UAC), Professor Ayo Olajuyigbe, represented by Deputy Chief Advancement Officer, Mr. Enock Ajayi said the UAC sincerely appreciates the donation from the Alumni in Diaspora. He added that the gesture is a proof that the existence of the alumni as worthy ambassadors of FUTA will continuously impact the lives of the students and called on other alumni branches and chapters worldwide to emulate the Diaspora chapter.
Olajuyigbe commended the university management led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, Alumni President (worldwide) and other alumni, especially the FUTA Alumni Association Diaspora Group led by Professor Henry Fadamiro for sustaining the annual scholarship and urged the recipients not to rest on their oars until they graduate in flying colour.
Corroborating the VC and Director, UAC, the Dean, Students Affairs Division, Professor David Oke described FUTA Alumni in Diaspora as unique and worthy ambassadors. He said Professor Fadamiro is a remarkable figure in FUTA Alumni since inception and described him as a good mobilizer. To the recipients he said “there is reward in hard work, therefore work harder in subsequent years to justify this award.”
In a brief remark, FUTA Alumni President Worldwide, Engineer Adeyemi Bello thanked the donors and congratulated the recipients. He described Professor Fadamiro as a passionate Alumnus and appreciated his team for putting smiles on the faces of the students. He called on the Alumni of the university spread worldwide to do more for the institution. “Let us prepare for the time when the government will hand off from financing higher institutions,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Jacob D. B of the Department of Food Science and Technology said “we do not take this gesture for granted. It has in no small measure added value to us and we promise to imbibe the culture of give-back too after graduation. We will always represent FUTA well as good ambassadors.”
Recipients of the scholarship valued at fifty thousand naira (N50,000) each are:
1.Orimadegun E. A Computer Engineering
2. Aina A. O Industrial Mathematics
3.Joseph B. A Computer Science
4.Baruwa H.O Meteorology and Climate Science
5. Akinjoko P.O Biochemistry
6. Okotie B.O Building
7.Akintoye V.A Human Anatomy
8. Jacob D.B Food Science and Technology
