It was naira rain on Wednesday, December 7 for the girl from Ondo State that made the highest score in the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, Miss Ebunoluwa Igbalaye.
Miss Igbalaye smiled home with a huge sum of money donated by prominent indigenes of the state who were elated by her feat.
Businessman and philanthropist, Chief Jimoh Ibrahim opened the floodgate with N1million during a dinner party organized by Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Political Appointees, FOWOSO to mark its fourth anniversary.
Chief Ibrahim said he was spurred to encourage the lass for making the state proud.
Another notable indigene of the state, Chief Olusola Oke followed suit with N250,000 while a member of the cabinet of the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN supported her with N200,000.
FOWOSO had at the dinner party honoured Miss Igbalaye with the”Rising Star’ award for doing the state proud by scoring highest in the UTME.
Speaking on the occasion, initiator of FOWOSO and wife of Ondo State governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu disclosed that the foundation deemed right to honour the girl for doing the state proud.
She further disclosed that she came to know of the lass’ feat in the social media and decided that she needed to be encouraged to to attain greater heights.
Miss Igbalaye scored 357 in this year’s UTME to emerge the candidate with the highest score from Ondo State.
Other people also honoured by FOWOSO were Gov Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN; his deputy, Hon. Lucky Ayeidatiwa; Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Olusola Oke and Segun Betikun.
The rest are. Miss Smart Benjamin, Miss Joy Powei Adeniyi, Miss Fasakin Gbemisola, Miss Favour Medahunsi, Miss Christiana Madu, Miss Aminar Eze, Mrs. Elizabeth Akpan, Mrs. Mosun Odukale, Emmanuel World Children Foundation, Hope Orphanage,
Equally honoured were Dele Ologun, Pastor Jide Ipinsagba, Hon. Gbenga Edema, Prince Jimi Odimayo, Arch. Oge Odor, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, Kunle Adebayo, Jide Akinroluyo and Prince Uzoma Egbulefu.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Chief Olusola Oke expressed gratitude to God for the honour done to them.
He also thanked the first lady of the state for building the capacity of women in the state and pledged that the award recipients will not relent in supporting her laudable initiatives.
He announced a donation of N2.5million towards the development of the secretariat of FOWOSO.
Chief Jimoh Ibrahim had earlier announced the donation of N10m towards the secretariat project.
The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Federick Akinrutan equally announced a donation of N2million.
