The cute auditorium of the University City Public Library on Delmar Avenue in St. Louis city, on July 2 was venue of this year’s Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater St. Louis annual academic excellence scholarship and recognition awards ceremony. In attendance at this were award recipients and their families and friends, as well as members of the Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater St. Louis.
Since 1998 Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater St. Louis has given scholarships every year to deserving students in the St. Louis area who are moving on to college. The scholarships are awarded in spite of the student’s nationality or tribal origin. The grade point average and at least a 400-word essay on Yoruba are some of the criteria used to determine winners. Recognition awards are also given to honor students who have reached special academic attainments.
This year’s award was planned to be low-keyed in accord with the organization’s mood following the passing on of a prominent member. The annual Yoruba Day celebration was canceled as a result. Key-note speaker Mr. Tope Ogunmola, who is an actuary with Safety National encouraged the awardees to be focused and relentless in their pursuit of academic achievement as well as making their mark in their chosen professions. His message was aptly amplified by a trio of youths who have received the award in the past. They are Miss Adeola Adewale who recently graduated from the University of Kansas with a Masters in Architecture, Miss Adekemi Sodamade who is a financial analyst at an investment company in high profile downtown Clayton, St. Louis, and Mr. Ayomide Akinokun an IT Specialist with Boeing who graduated last May from the University of Michigan.
The Youth shared their college and work experiences and counseled the scholarship awardees that they have what it takes to success if they maintain focus, work hard and listen to their parents and those who have walked the path before them.
Alhaji Raheem Adegboye, Chairman of the Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater St. Louis and Dr. Wole Okunade a former President of the organization were on hand to give academic excellence scholarship and recognition awards to the recipients.
The 2016 scholarship award recipients include Olakunle Odunleye, Simileoluwa Falako, and Dorcas Lawal. And the recognition award recipients also include Adeola Adewale, Emmanuel Aihie, Oyinkan Olagbegi, Etinosa Ogbevoen, Bolanle Akinola, Etieno Akpan, Abiola Mosuro, Toye Okunrinboye, Bolatito and Oludare Fatoki.
