OCF honours Ogbomoso-born student with highest JAMB score at national level, other prominent individuals

OCF honours Ogbomoso-born student with highest JAMB score at national level, other prominent individuals

Yinka ADETUNJI

Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF) has honoured a student of Ogbomoso origin, David Loola Alayande, who performed exceedingly well in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), notching a score of 367, a feat he reportedly shared with another student, who also scored 367. David Loola Alayande is a student of Zamani College in Kaduna though of Ogbomoso origin from Obesilo compound, Isale-Ora area, Ogbomoso. In his WAEC results for the same year he had 7A1s one B2 and one C4. He hopes to study Computer Science.

Also, the student who recorded the highest result in the National Examinations Council (NECO) in 2024 in Ogbomoso zone, Olayanju Praise Adeyinka, was given award of excellence for his stellar performance. He is from Olawale Agboro Ode compound Oke-Omosin, Ogbomoso. He passed out of School of Science Ogbomoso, aiming to study Civil Engineering.

It was learnt that the David Alayande’s feat was sourced by the OCF education committee from the JAMB portal, and his UTME result affirmed his score while the feat of the best NECO best performer in Ogbomoso zone was derived through interactions with relevant bodies, like schools’ principals through collation of results.

According to the committee, the two awardees represent the Ogbomoso and OCF vision of academic excellence.

Some other prominent individuals also conferred with awards of excellence included president of Ogbomoso Parapo Worldwide, Justice Afolabi Adeniran (rtd) who was represented by Mr. Tunde Adegoke; Prof. Rasak Olatunde Kalilu, Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH); Pro-Chancellor of the LAUTECH Governing Council, Prof. Ayodeji Omole, represented by Prof. Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye; Mrs. Ruth Olasoko Adeyinka; Pa Amos Ajekiigbe, a community leader; and

The award ceremony was part of the 2024 annual general assembly (AGA) of the association, an umbrella body to associations and clubs in Ogbomosoland.

A day earlier, the association donated books obtained through a foreign body to the Oyo state Library Complex at Sunsun area, Ogbomoso, just as it undertook some refurbishment of the library like tiling of the floor.

Also, a new skill acquisition centre is being constructed by the association at the Oyo state Industrial Estate along Osogbo road, Oke-Arada.

The donation of the books at the library and visit to the skill acquisition centre site by members on Friday form part of the event marking the annual general assembly (AGA) of the socio-cultural association.

Speaking at the library complex, established during the governorship regime of (now late) Alhaji Lam Onaolapo Adesina, chairman of the association, Engr. Abu Salami said the gesture was inspired by their desire to expand the coast of knowledge in Ogbomoso by making relevant books available for those who seek knowledge and provide a conducive atmosphere to read.

He added, “Meanwhile, this is not our first time and we encourage you to feel free to contact us when you need assistance that will aid in fulfilling the vision of the library.”

The skill acquisition centre, whose construction is well advanced, he disclosed “is to empower youths and willing adults in the community. When they have skills that are modern-day compliant they can strive to develop themselves and be able to fend for themselves and families. We are not happy with our youths congregating aimlessly at junctions constituting themselves into street nuisance.”

The AGA held Saturday at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club featured talks, election of new exco members and a lecture by Prof. Kalilu.

In his remark, OCF leader Major General Oladayo Popoola (rtd.) expressed gratitude to members for their continued support, recalling that the 2023/24 meeting was postponed due to the installation of the Soun of Ogbomoso and the general elections.

Major Gen. Popoola also commended several individuals for their “outstanding contributions to the community.”

Embrace progress, build cultural legacies – LAUTECH VC urges Ogbomoso community

Prof. Kalilu, at the AGA, called on the people of Ogbomoso and members of the Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF) particularly to prioritize progress and legacy-building efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Ogbomosoland.

In his keynote address titled, “”, he emphasized that fostering cultural legacies requires “a focus on education, entrepreneurship, infrastructural development, good governance, and tourism.”

Kalilu noted that Ogbomoso is blessed with a rich cultural heritage and has produced notable heroes, which have cemented the town’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s significant cultural hubs.

Highlighting various aspects of Ogbomoso’s cultural heritage which according to him include visual arts, traditional cuisines, historical landmarks, architecture, Egungun and body lacerations like “ila” (tribal marks), he stressed the need to “modernize local cuisines such as sakada, sekete ojojo, gbegiri, and akara egbe.”

He therefore urged residents to prioritize indigenous meals over modern preserved foods.

Prof. Kalilu also lauded LAUTECH’s commitment to preserving the region’s cultural heritage, citing the conversion of the residence of Chief Ladoke Akintola into a cultural study centre. He called for financial support to further develop cultural initiatives as part of the 25-year development plan of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.

Following the dissolution of the OCF executive committee, an election was conducted, resulting in the retention of Engineer Abu Salami as the chairman and Dr Tayo Alayande as vice chairman. Mr. Morakinyo Oluwasegun Ayobami emerged as new secretary and Mr, Yomi Oke as assistant secretary while Hon. Mrs. Bimpe Martins was elected welfare secretary among others.