Lisa of Ondo Kingdom Hosts 22nd Annual Abraham Ademujimi Oguntimehin Memorial Scholarship

The Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Simeon Olusola Oguntimehin, has successfully hosted the 22nd edition of the annual Abraham Ademujimi Oguntimehin Memorial Scholarship at the Lisa’s Court, Okelisa, Ondo City.

This year’s award, themed “2025 UTME Mass Failure: A Clarion Call for Declaration of Emergency in the Education Sector” was dedicated to secondary school students across Ondo City who have demonstrated academic excellence.

A total of 25 students, drawn from schools including Ogooluwa C.G.S. Oboto, Jubilee C.G.S., St. Louis Girls Secondary School, Methodist Grammar School, St. Monica’s Grammar School, Temidire C.G.S., St. Joseph’s College, Holy Trinity Grammar School, Ondo Grammar School, Celestial Grammar School, Ekimogun C.G.S. Bolounduro, St. Stephen’s, Ansarudeen High School, Owena C.G.S., Ondo Boys High School, Orimolade C.G.S., Independence Grammar School and C.A.C. Grammar School, received this year’s awards. The beneficiaries, ranging from JSS3 to SS3, were honored for their remarkable results.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Omonike Omonubi, first daughter of the donor and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Abraham Ademujimi Oguntimehin Memorial Scholarship Fund, described the mass failure recorded in the last UTME as alarming. She emphasized the urgent need to address the problem, while also urging parents to pay closer attention to their children’s individual needs. She encouraged the recipients to remain diligent, face challenges with courage and pursue their dreams with a strong sense of purpose.

Since inception, the scholarship fund has impacted 341 students, a feat Mrs. Omonubi described as commendable.

The donor, High Chief Oguntimehin, expressed joy at witnessing the 22nd series of the award. He commended contributors who supported the initiative and specially acknowledged Chief Ade and Chief Funke Illuyemi for their consistent presence and support since the scholarship began.

Guest speaker, Mrs. Adetomiwa Adebanjo, addressed the theme of the event by outlining causes of UTME mass failure, including poor funding, inadequate teacher training and lack of parental involvement. She called for increased investment in education, improved teacher development and closer parental supervision to enhance students’ performance.

In addition to cash prizes, awardees received educational materials such as notebooks, pens, mathematical sets and textbooks.

The well-attended ceremony drew the presence of high chiefs of Ondo Kingdom, community leaders, parents, students, family members and well-wishers. Recipients and their parents expressed deep gratitude to the donors, leaving the event with smiles and renewed hope.