Following their outstanding performance in this year’s Lagooz Schools Scholarship Awards competition, no fewer than ten primary six students from public and private schools were awarded a Lagooz Schools scholarship valued at N35.7 million.
The top three students won N7.2 million apiece, while the others received N1.89 million each. They are six males and four girls from 295 students that took the Mathematics scholarship exam.
Miss Oghenemaro Iwhiwhu, 10, of Chrisland School Opebi, won first place with 94.5 percent; Master Abdulrahmon Aminu of Al-Maruf Primary School, Sango, Ogun State, came in second with 91 percent; and Miss Umaiza Kolawole of The Jannah Sprouts School, Lagos, finished third with 82.5 percent. Last week, the students got their trophies at an award ceremony held at school in Agege.
Mr. Yomi Otubela, Chairman of Lagooz Schools, stated that the scholarship award was intended to help exceptional poor students, make quality education more accessible, and recognise academic performance, among other things.
He stated that the top three, who each won N7.2 million, would receive full scholarships covering tuition, books, and accommodation, among other advantages, for the duration of their six-year study, while the rest would receive partial scholarships equal to the value of their prize money.
He stated that the school decided to employ only Mathematics to test students due to the subject’s importance.
According to Otubela, many students dread Maths, and as a result, they fail the subject in crucial exams.
He said the scholarship programme was made possible through Yomi Otubela Foundation (YOF), which he created.
Otubela tasked governments at all levels to be serious about tackling the issue of out-of-school children. He also urged government to prioritise safety of schools nationwide and utilise technology to stop attacks.
The Maths teachers and schools present were also given gifts including award plaques, android phones and laptop computers respectively.