In a grand display of support for academic excellence, the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has awarded a total sum of ₦19 million to outstanding students and innovative lecturers of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
The benevolence was extended during the institution’s convocation ceremony held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the monarch, himself a distinguished alumnus, returned to honor his alma mater.
The spotlight of the event was Kemisola Yusuf, a graduate of the Department of Microbiology, who emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student with a Grade Point of 3.87. For her academic brilliance, she was awarded a cash prize of ₦6 million by the monarch.
Beyond the valedictorian, the Ooni extended his philanthropy to top performers across the institution’s six faculties. The best graduating student from each faculty received a cash prize of ₦1.5 million. Furthermore, promoting academic research and advancement, two lecturers were selected as winners of the “Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Award for Innovation & Technology,” receiving ₦2 million each.
Oba Ogunwusi, who also serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), graduated from the Polytechnic’s Accountancy Department three decades ago.
Addressing the gathering, he commended the school management for sustaining the legacy of quality education that the institution was renowned for during his days as a student.
Reflecting on his journey, the traditional ruler said: “This citadel of learning remains my foundation in life. I left this great school 30 years ago as an accountancy student, and it is a thing of joy to reconnect to my foundation today, 30 years after my graduation.”
He reminisced about his humble beginnings on campus, stating, “Many years ago, I still remember my days in Unity Hall and Ramat Hall, dealing with my studentship not knowing what the future had for me. But today, I am the Ooni of Ife to the glory of God.”
The Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, confirmed the donations in a statement, noting that the gesture is aimed at encouraging academic diligence and technological innovation within the Nigerian tertiary education system.