Physically challenged students, 20 others bag IEPA scholarship

Twenty-two people, including two physically challenged university students, benefitted from the 2024 scholarship scheme of the Ilorin Emirate Professor’s Association (IEPA) over the weekend.

The two physically challenged recipients were Ayinde Aloba of the University of Ilorin and Abdulgafar Ahmad.

Each beneficiary of the annual scholarship scheme received ₦100,000, a certificate, and a Holy Qur’an.

The IEPA is a body of professors from the Ilorin Emirate dedicated to providing mentorship, promoting scholarship, and encouraging good governance, among other objectives.

Speaking at the presentation of the scholarship during the association’s sixth Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ilorin last Friday, the outgoing IEPA president, Prof. Abdulfatai Olokoba, said the association had expanded the scope of the scholarship scheme to include 22 beneficiaries this year, with the inclusion of two physically challenged individuals for inclusivity.

He noted that the scholarship programme, which the association initiated in 2022, is sustained with ₦10 million provided by Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha, who was among three honorees recognized with awards, announced an additional ₦20 million donation to the association.

He stressed that education and human capital development are essential to the advancement of the Ilorin Emirate and pledged continued support.

Other awardees recognised for their contributions to the IEPA included Senators Ibrahim Oloriegbe and Rukayat Gbemisola Saraki.

In his lecture titled “Level of Educational Advancement in Ilorin Emirate: Opportunities in Employment and Appointment”, Alhaji Lasisi Jimoh, a renowned historian and author of the book *”Ilorin: The Journey So Far”*, urged professors and administrators of Ilorin descent to leave positive footprints wherever they serve.