No fewer than five students of Sam Maris University (SMU), Supare-Akoko, Ondo State, have been awarded full scholarships by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University, Mr. Sam T. Ologunorisa, SAN.
Mr. Ologunorisa, during the recent Maiden Matriculation Ceremony of the University had awarded full scholarships to the pioneer students across the two Faculties of the University, namely: Faculty of Computing and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at the take-off of the institution in 2023/2024 Academic Session.
As part of the resolve of the Founding Fathers of the University, Sam Maris Foundation, to promote and ensure that no eligible candidate admitted into the institution was denied access to university education on the grounds of indigence, the learned silk also redeemed the ₦200,000 annual scholarship awarded to another beneficiary.
Ologunorisa urged the students to remain focused and aim for first-class honours, adding that the institution would not relent in its commitment to securing a bright future for them.
In the same vein, a member of the University Governing Council, Mr. Richard Ahonaruogho, SAN, instituted a ₦500,000 Cash Prize for the best graduating Law student.
Ahonaruogho, in a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Gbore, stated that the eventual Winner of the Prize would also enjoy full tuition coverage to the Nigerian Law School.
The letter reads, “I have the pleasure on behalf of my parents, the Late Pa. Jeremiah Olu Oma Ahonaruogho and Mrs. Josephine Ajua Ahonaruogho, my siblings, wife, children, and the entire AHONARUOGHO FAMILY, to notify you of the PRIZE MONEY of the sum of =N=500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only as the PRINCE (DR.) RICHARD OMA AHONARUOGHO SAN PRIZE MONEY FOR THE BEST GRADUATING LAW STUDENT of your newly established UNIVERSITY.”
“The winner will also enjoy full tuition payment to the Nigerian Law School.
It is hoped that the award will stimulate academic excellence and produce graduates that will lead Nigeria in her quest for excellence and true greatness.
“I wish to congratulate Mr. Vice-Chancellor and Management for the excellent work in getting the University off the ground and hope that al efforts would be made to take the University to enviable heights.
Accept the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Acknowledging the kind gestures, Prof. Gbore expressed appreciation to Ologunorisa for his unwavering commitment to education, and for inspiring the scholarship beneficiaries to pursue their studies with greater dedication and enthusiasm.
In his reply to Ahonaruogho's letter, the Don wrote: “On behalf of the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Senate, Management, Staff and Students of Sam Maris University, I write to acknowledge receipt and also express our profound gratitude to you and the entire Ahonaruogho family for instituting a prize of a sum of Five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) only for the Best Graduating Law Student of the University and full tuition payment of the Winner at the Nigerian Law School.”
The benevolence and philanthropic gesture are indeed heartwarming and a source of motivation to the entire University Community.
“I wish to place on record that you have further distinguished yourself as a Pacesetter with the institution of the Prize.
“It is our prayer that the Almighty God shall continue to increase your greatness and grant you peace on every side (Amen).”
The beneficiaries of the scholarship are Jeremiah Friday Emmanuel (Accounting), Oluyemi Friday Paul (Economics), Adebiyi Heritage Ayomide (Criminology and Security Studies), Awuchi Chinasa Precious (Mass Communication), Adaramola Oluwasemilore Isacc (Computer Science), and Moshood Fathia Kemisola (Mass Communication).
