An Osun PhD researcher, Akande Hammed has written to Governor Ademola Adeleke on the need to create a State Scholarship Board to support brilliant minds that could later help in developing institutions in the state.
Hammed, who is a former student of the Osun State University and PhD researcher at Concordia University, Canada, in an open letter to the governor on Monday, titled: the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, advocated investment in education as one of the major requirements for the development of the nation.
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.”
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“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.”
“Lastly, I want to congratulate you once again on your appeal court victory. I believe your performance in the last election reflects who truly won the 2022 Guber election. I am excited to see the beautiful things you would do in Osun State.”
