Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Reported By Abimbola Obatayo, Ibadan
The founder, Olusegun Okanlawon Foundation (OOF) Engr. David Olusegun Okanlawon has called on all the Ibarapa indigien across the globe to join hand and speak in one voice in order to build Ibarapa of their dream, saying that it is only with peace and unity the zne can move forward.
Engr. Okanlawo, who hails from Idere town of Ibarapa zone in Oyo State made this call during the week at the Grand Finale of Sport Activities, Sensitization of 120 UTME Scholarship Awards Program across Ibarapa zone, and Ibarapa festive dinner, held at Femadex Hotel, Idere, Oyo State.
In his word, he noted that only when Ibarapa sons and daughter come out in unity and speaks in one voice development can come to the land, adding that divisibility will not make Ibarapa zone to progress and compete with other region in the state.
“Let us join hands to build Ibarapa of our dream, we are one, let us rise up, dedicated, committed, focus and resilient to build Ibarapa we want.”
“In this zone, we need good healthcare delivery system, good road network, all round development, adequate security, tourist attraction, business opportunity for the youth, standard stadium, education development, and agro processing and industrial development to mention few.”
Okanlawon while speaking on the aim of the OOF said that the foundation was formed in 2018 to alleviate the suffering of the masses particularly in Ibarapa region of the state, saying that a lot of people has benefited immensely from the gesture.
“Over four million naira has been invested in the zone for this year alone, nothing less than 150 beneficiaries will also benefited from payment of their Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in year 2020 because my joy is to see Ibarapa moving forward and competing with other zones in the state.”
Meanwhile, Prof Ayo Ojebode of the Department of Language and Communication Art of the University of Ibadan while sensitizing the 120 UTME scholarship beneficiaries said that there is a need for intending students of higher institutions to match their interest and passion with their qualifications and interest so that they will not become frustrated applicants
Ojebode while speaking with the beneficiaries noted that some students choses courses they didn’t scored well during their admission, while some have a very high score but have wrong subject combination, adding that there is a need to advise the students properly from the beginning so as to avoid mistake.
He however commends the initiator of the program, Engr. Okanlawon for his good gesture towards the betterments of the Ibarapa zones, saying that people should not wait until they become a multi millionaire before they give back to the society.
One of the beneficiaries of the UTME scholarship, Fagbemi Elijah while speaking with journalist at the event said that the scholarship program has helped students of the Ibarapa zone a lot, adding that that before the intervention of the OOF foundation, many student ehwho wish to go to higher institutions could not do so because of financial problem.
Dignitaries at the event include the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State, Seun Fakorede, all the seven (7) Ibarapa traditional rulers, OOF members, prominents Ibarapa sons and daughters, and well wishers among others.
