UNIOSUN alumnus writes Adeleke, canvasses investment in sound education 

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

A former student of the Osun State University and PhD researcher at Concordia University, Canada, Hammed Akande has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke and all relevant organisations to accord sound education the prime place. 

In an open letter to the governor, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Osogbo, the equity, diversity and inclusion advocate identified investment in education as one of the major requirements for the development of the nation.

Hammed urged Governor Adeleke to inaugurate Osun State Scholarship Board to support brilliant minds that could later help in developing institutions in the state. 

The letter reads in part: “Today, I write to you as an indigene of Osun State & EDI advocate. I’d like to share some of my thoughts with you.

“I think it’s high time we launched the ‘Osun State Scholarship Board’- like the 

PRESSID- Presidential Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We need to revisit the old promise of retaining First Class graduates – we are losing our brilliant minds that could otherwise help in developing our schools. Your government needs to find a way to keep them.

“The goal is that your administration can sponsor talented Osun graduates for their MSc/PhD abroad after which they can return home and contribute to the development of the school.

“I think you can start with state-owned schools (e.g.- UNIOSUN) or at least those you have ‘direct’ control over (we can then improve the model to accommodate more later- depending on the success).

“The scholarship should be on MERIT and far away from connections. I have a feasible model to ensure this and I’m happy to share it with you.

“I am confident that Prof Adebooye, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN (a renowned Prof of Agronomy and Visiting Scholar at the University of Manitoba, Canada) would key into this idea and support the movement.

“I am available to chat with you on this further or at least anything that can develop Osun.

“In addition, I know a lot of brilliant minds that we can work together to support this project and we can put up a solid model for Osun State.

“Please note, we are not interested in making profits or gains – the goal is to develop the state. Over the years, I have supported (freely) tons of Nigerians in securing scholarships abroad and I will be happy to do the same with a forward-thinking government.”