It was not only an atmosphere for merry making; rather, it was a moment for redeeming a vow made many years back. Though it was his 53rd birthday, the Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija-Epe, Prof Olu Akeusola, was more interested in handing out cheques to the less privileged than taking part in the sumptuous food he had prepared for guests that came to felicitate with him.
Akeusola’s address to his friends and colleagues was brief but emotional, going down memory lane on his rags-to-riches story and how the Olu Akeusola Foundation was born.
“Today is my birthday but it is not a platform for me to flaunt my ego. I just wanted my friends to know why I decided to make this world better than I met it,” Akeusola began.
“I would not say I’m from a poor home. I’m from a modest but prominent family in Epe here. I was as comfortable as I could be while growing up.
“In 1983, I secured admission into College of Education, but in December of the same year, my father died and so everything died with him. That was the beginning of my travails.’’
He continued: “I could hardly afford three basic meals daily. I did all sorts of menial jobs to survive. At a point, I had to cut my mother’s wrapper and sew cloths to wear.
“But all the while, I kept praying to God to save me from this situation and promised that I would use my resources to save humanity if He did. I told God to prosper me so I can also help the less-privileged.
“I don’t know if God has answered my prayers, but I believe I am a lot better than what I was 30 year ago. So, I have decided to dedicate my birthday not only for fun but giving the poor a cause to smile.”
Decked in a pair of black jeans, multi-colour shirt, and a pair of canvas to match, Akeusola stood, as his intimidating profile was reeled out to excited guests that punctuated the reading with applause.
“The purpose is to encourage academic excellence and assist the less- privileged,” said Chairman Olu Akeusola Foundation, Dr Yetunde Folashade. According to her, about N1 million was deployed in this year’s awards with beneficiaries taking N600,000, while the outstanding went on logistics.
The foundation, she explained, awarded 15 beneficiaries cutting across tertiary, secondary and basic levels.
A total of seven beneficiaries in tertiary institutions received N40,000 each, three others in secondary got N30,000 while another three in basic collected N20,000 each respectively,” Folashade added.
She said the foundation was previously conducting an essay competition to arrive at winners, but had to change gear, basing its criteria on selecting the best brains from schools.
On criteria for selection, she said: “The criteria are simple. We just get in touch with HoDs or head teachers of the would-be beneficiary and request for his or her result at the end of each session. The report is sent to us duly stamped by either the HoD or Dean, or the principal of the beneficiary school.
“This is our fourth edition but we want to increase the pool of beneficiaries and also increase the amount that we give them.
“Imagine what can N40,000 do for an undergraduate. I don’t think N40,000 can pay school fees in some public institutions today. So, we are using this opportunity to reach out to partners and individuals. Our doors are opened to whoever wants to support us,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries Adejumo Funmilola Rebecca was happy she was receiving the award for the second time.
Rebecca 25, and a 300-Level Computer Science Education undergraduate of MOCPED described the award as a result of hardwork.
“I’m happy for winning it the second time; this is just to show that hard work pays,” she said.
