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BOLA @50: STUDENTS GETS SCHOLARSHIPS

Published

5 years ago

April 20, 2022

Educational attainment, an indicator of the human capital accumulated by a population, is a primary determinant of a nation’s prosperity and global economic competitiveness. The World Economic Forum underscores the importance of higher education to national competitiveness asserting that, “today’s globalizing economy requires countries to nurture pools of well-educated workers who are able to perform complex tasks and adapt rapidly to their changing environment and the evolving needs of the production system”

Education plays a key role in providing individuals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to participate effectively in society and in the economy. In addition, education may improve people’s lives in such areas as health, civic participation, political interest, and happiness. Easy access to education at all levels is of paramount importance in a good society.

In celebration of her Golden Jubilee birthday anniversary this year, Bola Omowumi Fashikun, visited her Alma Mata where she awarded scholarship to selected number of students and distributed writing materials to pupils at the Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki, Ekiti State.

She noted that identifying with them and sharing words of encouragement will dissuade and motivate them to be better children. “This has been my dream while growing up and I’m glad I’m living it,” she said.

“Sharing moments and experience with the kids will motivate them to get serious. It’ll also aid them to cultivate the spirit of giving.”

She again stressed the need for qualitative girl child education in Nigeria.

“Girls who belong to the families who think that girls are a burden that they have to off load to the groom & his family’s shoulders, A mindset according to which girls are considered as a mere commodity and a soul that is made to fulfill the duties others assign to her, that is the fate most of the girls meet.”

“When we talk about girls we talk about half of the population, half of those people who are talented, powerful, resourceful and full of energy however untapped. Souls that are equal in every aspect to the other half whom we call boys.”

“A lot of us may not have heard the name of a famous personality Washington Irving. But what he says is really very interesting. He says “The best Academy is a mother’s knee”. Do you all agree to it? I do. All my lessons, whether at school, or in the playground, or even at my hobby center, just all of them are reinforced, coated with all the morals & virtues that it makes a holistic sense and teaches me by my instinct what is correct way of doing something and what is not. Who makes it possible? My mother.”

“An educated girl will definitely know the importance of going to school. She will know how important it is for each one of the person in and around her must be exposed to this wonderful world filled with compassion, creativity, innovation, science, art, music, dance, yoga and so many more things that we imbibe in us when we go to a school.

“It gets so inter-twined in the fabric of one’s life that one is bound to benefit. An educated girl will be able to constructively contribute towards building of a strong character, not just hers, but all around her too. She can even go ahead and teach her mother, if her mother has never gone to a school.”

“Her younger siblings can benefit from her. It is in villages that a lot of household still think it as a taboo to send their girl child out of the house to study. For them primary education is enough for their daughter to survive. But in today’s world where internet and its benefits are out-numbered and education is on the tips of everyone having an android phone, education is just a click away.”

“So much is being done and so much more needs to be done. Educating the girl child is a journey that will lead us to a better community, and an efficient nation. In Michelle Obama’s words, “No country can truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens. What are we waiting for then – Educate the Girls, Build a Strong Nation.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, who was represented by the Ondo state chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Mr. Stephen Adewale, commended the organizer, Bola Fashikun for her impact in the development of education in Nigeria.

“The impact of a programme such as this, cannot be over estimated. In Nigeria, when we got independence in 1969, our leaders at that time knew the importance of interschool debate, and that why when they introduced the first national development plan in 1962, they made it compulsory for the students in public secondary schools at the time to engage in debate and quiz. That reflected on the kind of leaders we had at that time, but unfortunately over time, we have abandoned the culture. That is why we have to appreciate the convener of this programme. Let me also encourage them to do more. This should be state wide project, so that with time, other states and individuals can borrow the idea.”

“It goes along way in helping the students build confidence, their vocabulary prowess, the level of reasoning and alot of other things that will make them become good people in the society.”

While speaking, a Former Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi emphasised that education is key to myriad of challenges facing Nigeria and urged Leaders not to relent in efforts at making the country great through proper investment in the sector.

Represented by the Ondo State Former Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Ajayi who described the birthday Celebrant, Mrs Bolanle Rebecca Fashikun as a woman who had passion for education, called on well meaning Nigerians to emulate her.

Some of the students who benefited from the Scholarship awards including Esther Ilori, Abiodun Daniel, Jeje Blessing and Adesola Joseph said that the gesture came at a right time and prayed God to bless the new age of Mrs. Fashikun.

A total over 30 students were awarded scholarships of WAEC and NECO fees.

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Eight Athletes, 11 Medals: Applauding Asagba’s Sports Leadership At DELSU

Published

2 weeks ago

October 14, 2026

The Gleamer

By Godspower Odedede

Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has recorded an impressive outing at the 15th West Africa University Games (WAUG) 2026, winning 11 medals with just eight athletes who represented the university in only three sporting events.

The university won seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals to occupy seventh position on the medal table, an achievement that underscores the potential of its athletes and the importance of purposeful investment in university sports.

DELSU participated in the men’s 100-metre sprint with two athletes, women’s judo with two athletes, and swimming with four male athletes. Despite the limited number of athletes and sporting events, the university’s medal haul was a commendable performance and a source of pride for the institution.

The achievement deserves particular recognition given the restricted scope of DELSU’s participation. With representation in only three sports, the university demonstrated that focused preparation, adequate support and the effective deployment of available talent can produce encouraging results at major university competitions.

A major highlight of DELSU’s preparation for WAUG 2026 was the approval by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, for a quality two-week training programme for the university’s athletes in Asaba.

The camp provided the athletes with an opportunity to prepare using the excellent and up-to-date training facilities available in the state capital.

The initiative is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant commitment to structured preparation for university sports. Rather than relying solely on athletes’ natural abilities, the training programme recognised the importance of preparation, access to appropriate facilities and institutional investment in performance.

Professor Asagba deserves commendation for this intervention and for demonstrating a willingness to provide practical support for sports development at DELSU. The university’s WAUG performance offers an encouraging indication of what can be achieved when athletes receive purposeful preparation and administrative backing.

The Vice-Chancellor’s broader vision for sports infrastructure is also encouraging. Plans are understood to be underway for the construction of an ultra-modern sports complex for the university in the near future. If delivered as anticipated, the facility could significantly strengthen DELSU’s capacity for athlete development, training, competitions and sports science activities.

Such infrastructure would also support the university’s ambitions to improve its performance at national and international university games. A modern sports complex could provide a foundation for more systematic talent identification, performance monitoring, coaching development and the preparation of athletes across a wider range of sporting events.

Special recognition must also go to Mrs Epebi-Ebi Noah, the swimming coach, who was physically present at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with the DELSU swimming team during the competition. Her presence and involvement underline the importance of coaching support, technical guidance and close supervision of athletes during major sporting events.

The performance also calls for commendation of the Chairman of the University Sports Committee, Professor Ochuko Nabofa, whose leadership has brought renewed attention and energy to sports development at DELSU. His role in supporting the university’s sports administration and helping to strengthen the sporting environment deserves recognition.

Similarly, the Acting Director of Sports, Peter Omojuwa, deserves commendation for his administrative responsibilities and contribution to the university’s sporting programme. The Chief Coach, Lucky Ajaino, should also be recognised for his role in the technical preparation and development of DELSU athletes.

The combined efforts of the university management, sports committee, sports administrators and coaches are essential to sustaining progress. While medals provide a visible measure of success, the systems established to prepare athletes and support their development are equally important to the long-term growth of university sports.

DELSU’s WAUG achievement follows another notable outing at the last Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games, where the university finished fourth. That result was regarded as one of the finest performances in the institution’s sporting history and strengthened expectations that DELSU could become an even more formidable force in university sports.

The latest WAUG performance provides another reason for optimism. However, the university’s participation in only three events also reveals an opportunity for further growth. Expanding participation across more sports, identifying talented students and improving access to specialised training could help DELSU compete for a higher position on future medal tables.

The proposed sports complex, if realised, could play a central role in this expansion. It should ideally be supported by sustained funding, modern equipment, qualified coaches, athlete welfare programmes and collaboration with relevant sports science professionals. These measures would help ensure that infrastructure investment translates into measurable improvements in performance.

The university could also consider strengthening performance analysis, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, talent identification and systematic monitoring of athletes’ progress. Such an approach would help transform individual successes into a sustainable university-wide sports development programme.

DELSU’s performance at WAUG 2026 is worthy of celebration. Eight athletes competed in just three sporting events and returned with 11 medals, including seven gold. The result reflects the potential within the university and provides a strong basis for building a more ambitious sports programme.

Professor Asagba’s approval of the two-week training camp and the prospect of an ultra-modern sports complex offer reasons to look forward to the next phase of DELSU sports development. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum, broaden participation and ensure that the university’s sporting ambitions are matched by consistent investment and effective implementation.

With continued support from the Vice-Chancellor, the University Sports Committee, the Directorate of Sports, coaches and other stakeholders, DELSU can build on its recent achievements and strengthen its position among Nigeria’s leading sporting universities.

The message from WAUG 2026 is clear: DELSU has demonstrated what a small but well-supported contingent can achieve. With broader participation, sustained preparation and modern sporting infrastructure, the university has the potential to accomplish even greater things.

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