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| Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi. |
The Gbagi Foundation, a nongovernmental organization, has set up
a N6, 000,000 Scholarship Endowment Fund for 500 Nigerian students at Edwin
Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State.
Justice (Mrs) Sybil Gbagi, wife of former Minister for Education
(State), Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, who is chair, Board of Trustees of Gbagi
Foundation, presented a N6 million bank draft for the take-off of the
scheme at the first convocation ceremony of the institution, today
(Saturday) to the Vice Chancellor, Prof Timothy Olagbemiro at
Kiagbodo.
She explained: “For the first tranche, the Board has resolved to
grant 500 scholarships, broken down as follows - All the states of the
Federation of Nigeria will have 25 slots for a total of 25 students, Oginibu,
native land of Olorogun Gbagi will have 50 slots for a total of 50 students.”
“Ughelli South, home local government area of Gbagi will be
entitled to 50 slots for a total of 50 students, Delta Central, South and North
senatorial district will have 50 slots each for a total of 150 students
Commending the Chancellor and Founder of the university, Chief
Edwin Clark on whose impeccable ideals Gbagi Foundation Support Fund for Edwin
Clark University' anchors, she stated that as Minister, Olorogun Gbagi “was
very instrumental to the revolutionary wave that swept across the Nigerian
education sector at the time.”
“Prompted by his passion, visionary leadership and high
premium for qualitative education as a Minister, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi
single-handedly pushed for the establishment of over 13 Universities,
Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and several Secondary Schools across the
country, a feat unheard of in the entire history of Nigeria and to which this
great institution is a beneficiary today,” she said.
Justice Gbagi revealed that Olorogun Gbagi, who is not
only a member of the Board of Trustees of Edwin Clark University, but also a
son of Senator Clark, “has through the Gbagi Foundation, sponsored and
still continues to sponsor Deltans particularly, and Nigerians generally, at
different levels and strata of learning within and outside the country.”
Her words, “The Gbagi Foundation in furtherance of his
resolve to change the narrative for the better, has established an Educational
Trust Fund to be hereinafter known and referred to as ‘The Gbagi Foundation’s
Support Fund for Edwin Clark University’ for 500 (Five Hundred) Nigerians and
in demonstration of its commitment to this philanthropic gesture.”
“Attached herewith is a draft to the tune of N6, 000,000.00 (Six
Million Naira) issued by the Gbagi Foundation in favour of Edwin Clark
University, Kiagbodo.
“In the actualization and effective utilization of this Fund,
the Foundation will liaise with the Vice Chancellor, the University’s
Accountant and/or other such nominees of the University and my humble self to
formulate and implement a workable action plan for effective implementation,”
she added.
“Similarly, and on behalf of the Gbagi Foundation, I present to
you, these two (2) documents detailing the Structure of the Trust Fund, the
states of the federation of Nigeria constituting the catchment area entitled to
this fund.
Vice chancellor, Olagbemiro, who received the bank
draft urged successful Nigerians to imitate the philanthropic gesture of
Olorogun Gbagi in contributing to sustainable development of education
and the teeming Nigerian youths.
He commended Olorogun Gbagi for his philanthropy, especially
towards the course of education, the youths and the underprivileged.
Olagbemiro assured that the institution would use the fund
judiciously.
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