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In a heartwarming display of commitment to inclusive education, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has reemphasized the institution’s commitment to equal opportunity and the embrace of diversity.
Prof. Egbewole stated this at the flag-off of the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF) Scholarship Scheme for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students at the Moot Court Complex, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.
At the event, the Foundation awarded N100, 000 scholarship each to 20 exceptional students in the OSF Exceptional Scholarship Awardees category, while the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students (NANDS), Nehemiah Danjuma, received the prestigious Professor Kanyinsola Fellowship Award worth N200,000 in recognition of his outstanding contributions.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Ambali, the Vice Chancellor noted that the University has consistently strived to create an environment that fosters inclusivity while embracing the diversity of its students.
He commended the Founder of Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF), Dr Opeoluwa Sotonwa, for his impressive philanthropic gesture to the awardees and his alma mater.
The Vice Chancellor observed that this remarkable contribution underscores the Foundation’s commitment to making a tangible impact on the academic community and ensuring that students, especially those with disabilities, have access to quality education.
The Vice Chancellor pointed out that the OSF founder, who is currently the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, has indeed shown compelling evidence that individuals with disabilities have the potential to excel, adding that there are no valid excuses for failure.
In his remarks, Dr Opeoluwa Sotonwa, the Founder of OSF, highlighted the struggles faced by students with disabilities in pursuing their educational aspirations.
Dr Opeoluwa expressed his gratitude to the University of Ilorin for the support the institution provided, including an interpreter and assistance in publishing his book during his undergraduate years.
He added that the groundbreaking effort is not only a testament to the Foundation’s dedication to empowering marginalised communities but also a significant step towards making quality education accessible to all, regardless of their background or abilities.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Prof. Nimah Abdulraheem, extended her appreciation to Dr. Opeoluwa and the OSF for their unwavering commitment to increasing educational access and affordability for deaf students. She also commended his generous donation of the sum of N1 million to the Faculty .
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Omotesho; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Alfanla; the representative of the University Librarian, Dr Titilola Abdussalam; the Sub-Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Mohammed Kabir Garba; and Dr Oyelakin Ogungbade, who was the Interpreter to Dr Sotonwa during his undergraduate days, among others.
The launch of the OSF scholarship programme was in collaboration with the Disability Law and Advocacy Project (DLAP), Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, and the National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students (NANDS).
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