UNIOSUN Students Tasked To Be Involved In Mobilisation Against Poverty

Students of the Osun State University, Osogbo, have been charged to be involved in selfless service and mobilisation towards fighting poverty.

A non-governmental organization, the Great People Foundation, GPF gave the charge at the university auditorium, on Tuesday as part of its sensitisation towards reducing the rate of dropouts in Nigeria education system.

According to Mr Joshua Aluko, the founder of the foundation, GPF was established to provide scholarship opportunities to indigent students and offer professional training to support none indigent ones who are members of the foundation.

“If you want to be great, you have to reach out to others. You have to meet the needs of other people. Whatever you give comes back.

“You have to belief in the law of sowing and reaping. So, this is why we chose to be there for others. No matter how small, help people in need even without soliciting,” GPF founder said.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olabode Popoola lauded the foundation for bringing the opportunity to the university students.

“I came across the foundation last year when they approached me about offering scholarship to students. They are great inspirers. There is so much to learn from the group”, Prof Popoola stated.

He showered encomium on the organisers of the programme and implored the students, not to just seek knowledge and understanding but also strive towards self reliance.

Also speaking, Professor Oladele Popoola, the University Director of Research and Linkage called for selflessness among students.

“It is not a crime to be poor, but what we are doing in bridging the gap between the rich and the poor is important, to reduce crime”, he noted.

Also, the Dean of Students Affairs of the University, Dr. Oluseye Abiona noted that there are a lot of people that are in financial trauma, adding that there are students who could not afford to pay school fees and automatically have extra year.

“A lot of people are in financial trauma. This is why we have to appreciate this group. Even the VC gave out 10 bursary to needy students. Other lecturers in the University are also doing this. The more you give, the more you are blessed”, the don restated.

The foundation which was backed by Etisalat and other private individuals had already awarded scholarship to no fewer than 10 students from and outside the University.