OOF Founder, Engineer Okanlawon, Advocates Unity Among Ibarapa Indigenes ......Rolls Out Scholarships, UTME Forms For Indigent Students
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engineer Olusegun Okanlawon, on Monday has again renewed his advocacy for unity among the indigenes of Ibarapa zone in Oyo State.
According to the the Chairman and founder of Olusegun Okanlawon Foundation (OOF), time has come for the people of tje zone to start speaking with one voice for the common good.
Okanlawon, who made the call in his countryhome of Idere in Ibarapa Central area of Oyo state during the Grand finale of Sporting activities, distribution of UTME forms to 150 indigent students across Ibarapa zone held at the Famadex hotel, Idere, insisted that division among the residents will benefit no one.
The philantropist explained that the needs and several challenges facing Ibarapa zone will only be addressed when every indigene adopt the unity of purpose.
He aded that speaking in one voice ”is the only way the zone could get to the promise land and maintain peace and unity among its people.”
According to him, unless Ibarapa sons and daughters come together to speak in one voice, it would be very difficult for the area and its people to enjoy the much needed massive development and progress.
“Let us join hands to build Ibarapa of our dream, we are one, let us rise up, dedicated, committed, focus and resilient to build Ibarapa we want. In this zone, we need good healthcare delivery system, good road network, all round development, adequate security, tourist attraction, business opportunity for the youth, standard stadium, education development, and agro processing and industrial development to mention few.” he said.
Speaking on the mission and vision of OOF, Engineer Okanlawon said the foundation which had benefitted several indigene of Ibarapa and beyond was established in 2018 out of his yearning to alleviate the suffering of his people, especially the poor masses in Ibarapa region of the state.
“Over N4million has been invested in the zone for this year alone, nothing less than 150 beneficiaries will also benefited from payment of their Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in year 2020 because my joy is to see Ibarapa moving forward and competing with other zones in the state.”
Earlier, Professor Ayo Ojebode of the Department of Language and Communication Art of the University of Ibadan, while speaking at the event, advised the students seeking admission into the tertiary institutions to match their interest and passion with their qualifications and interest in order not to be frustrated in their academic pursuit.
Professor Ojebode while commending Engineer Okanlawon for his good gesture towards the betterments of the Ibarapa zones, appealed to the people of the area to emulate the gesture of giving back to the community that produced them.
Speaking on behalf of the UTME scholarship beneficiaries, Fagbemi Elijah, thanked the sponsor of the scholarship, assuring the foundation of making it proud with good academic records and performances.