Daniel UGWO

The second edition of scholarship grants to Ten University students at the Parish Community of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife came to fulfilment Sunday, 16 November 2025; a year after first edition. Recall that nine applicants were awarded on 17 November 2024 - nine months after its official pronouncement by Chiefs Patrick and Eva Akinwuntan, during the installation ceremony of Parish Chiefs, Thursday 8 February 2024 - where he declared that ten University students, each year, for a length of time would be sponsored. The couple are the ‘Baba and Iya Ewe’ of the Parish. Each awardee received the sum of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

For the 2025 award, twenty-four youths applied while the application period lasted within a week.  According to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Adeyemi, some major criteria deployed in the selection processes are: active participation and good moral standing of awardees in Church activities. In other words, any applicant that is not an active member of the Youth Organization, or Altar Server, or Choir, or Lector; either at Lagere Parish or at St. Patrick, Parakin - and in genuine need of the grant is not qualified for the scholarship, except on special grounds.

He stressed further that the grant is not meant for children of wealthy Parents. Candidates awarded last year but failed two courses and scored below 50 in three courses last academic session are ineligible. In addition, students that secured admission this year are excluded, they might apply next year based on academic performance.

The ten beneficiaries for 2025 award include: Onyia Jennifer (B.A. German Language, 300L, OAU); Erinle Kizito (B.Sc. Science Laboratory Technology, 200L, Lagos State University); Oluponna Catherine (B.Sc. Psychology, 200L, OAU); Oodoh Francisca (B. Sc. Botany, 200 Level, OAU); Arayemi Akinlabi (B.Sc. Surveying & Geoinformatics, 300L, OAU); Adelakun Damilola (B.A. Linguistics, 300L, OAU); Nzekwe Theresa (B.Sc. Computer Science & Software Engineering, 200 level, OAU); Busari Pauline (B.Ed. Social Science Education, 200L, Federal University of Education, Ondo); Christopher Adedeji (B.A Theatre Arts, 200L, Osun State University); Ajayi Emmanuel (B.Ed. Educational Management, 200L, Ekiti State University). However, Onyia Jennifer, Erinle Kizito and Nzekwe Theresa who were beneficiaries of 2024 award made it in the 2025 due to their brilliant academic performances.

Fr. Peter Adeyemi appreciated the Akinwuntan’s family for their continuous support to the Parish community. He considered the remarkable annual grants as a significant financial aid that is transforming the lives of youths in the Parish, realising that the selfless action has empowered the youths to pursue their passions, unlock their potentials and shape their futures while providing relief to the parent of the awardees. He added that Chief Patrick and Eva Akinwuntan have fostered growth, inspired hope and created opportunities for achievement of goals by the beneficiaries.

He challenged the awardees to be responsible and committed in their academics while iterating how important it is to follow the example of the sponsor later as they progress in life. While the Cheques were presented to all awardees, accompanied by one of their parents during 10.00am Mass, the 250,000 Naira was later transferred into their provided bank accounts during the week.

On secondary school scholarship grant, the Parish Priest recently announced that ‘Baba Isale Ijo,’ Chief Augustine Omisade provided scholarship grant to thirteen secondary and primary school students through the parish co-ordination.