Speaking at the well-attended event, Mr. Seun Popoola, the Regional Manager of the firm, said the awardees were picked purely on merit and on account of being the best in their various fields of study. He said, “Having gone round and interacted with the Vice Chancellor and other Management staff, I want to state that it is a privilege to be students here. You are in the best place you could be. “And to the winners, you’ve learnt that hard work pays, as we didn’t handpick anybody.

We have strict rules attached to this award of Academic Excellence; your GP has to be the best in your Department. “ Mr. Popoola stated that Etisalat would explore other avenues in which it could collaborate with the University. He also disclosed that the firm is making arrangements for all its base stations to be 3G compliant in all tertiary institutions in the South-West geo-political zone before the end of the year.

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Francis Oyebade, who stood in for the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, had said, “We have seen many organizations performing their Corporate Social Responsibilities, but it is more gratifying to see an organization undertake Corporate Social Responsibility directed at what is considered to be the most important aspect of our national life.

We are very thankful to Etisalat for prioritizing partnership with our University to develop the academic potential of our 5 students. I am convinced that Etisalat is a company that is worthy of forming a synergy with.” The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Oluyemisi Adebowale, who observed that the beneficiaries were all males, urged female students to work harder in order to benefit from the opportunity.

A representative of the awardees, Israel Adewoye, thanked the company for the gesture, saying that it would spur them to be more studious. Also present at the event were the Acting Registrar, Mr. Sunday Ayeerun; Acting Bursar, Mrs. Olubunmi Ologun, FCA; Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Bolanle Ogungbamila; and a Biochemistry lecturer at AAUA and visiting researcher, Nagazaki University, Japan, Dr. Omotuyi Olaposi, among others.

The beneficiaries are: David Adeolu Ogunsu (200-Level), Afolabi Peter Idowu (200-Level), Akinnawonu Olumide Stephen (200-Level) all from the Department of Physics and Electronics; Gbadamosi Ridwan Enitan (200-Level), Abayomi Samson Abiodun (200-Level), Daramola Temitope Adedamola (300-Level), Aminu Moshood Abiola (200-Levle) all from the Department of Computer Science; Ibigbami .O G. (200-Level), Adewole M .I. (200-Level), and Adebayo O.D. (300-Level) all from the Department of Business Administration.