The Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola was recently thrown into a happy mood when the Management of Delta State University, Abraka donated a sum of two million and fifty thousand naira cheque to Miss Lawal Karimot Omolara, a 300-level physically challenged student of History and International Relations, Osun State University.

The Vice-Chancellor was represented by Dr. Adesote Adesola, a Lecturer in the Department of History and International Relations, College of Humanity and Culture of the university during the formal cheque presentation event held on Wednesday, 19th September, 2018 in the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Center, Alahusa, Ikeja, Lagos, where the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University handed over cheques of a sum of two million and fifty thousand naira to Karimot.
Professor Labode Popoola expressed deep appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Management team and staff of Delta State University for coming to the aid of this young visionary girl regardless of regional and ethnic differences.

Professor Popoola recalled that Osun State University has similar welfare scheme not only for students but for the entire staff members of the university. He however, acknowledged the uniqueness in this rare hand of fellowship and for extending this kind of humanitarian gesture beyond and across region.

He said, “This alone is capable of fostering national cohesion and promoting inter-regional integrations.”
It will be recalled that on 28th April, 2018, The Punch Newspaper published an article through which Miss Lawal Karimot solicited for aid to relieve her of her 116-year-old agony.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Professor Victor Peretomode, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor (Mrs) Roseline Aziza, gave account of how Management of Delta State University picked interest in Karimot’s story, having made necessary findings to ascertain its veracity.

According to him, “The Vice-Chancellor of the Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Victor Peretomode, presented Karimot’s story to the Senate of the University at its 156th regular meeting on the 30th of April. The University Senate unanimously decided to intervene and end Karimot’s pain of sixteen years by raising the needed money through donations by members.

“In a nutshell, the story revolves around an accident she had at the age of five during which part of her foot was cut off and subsequently taken way by a dog. The inability to get the right medical attention due to financial constraints exposed Karimot to humiliation, discrimination, physical, emotional and psychological agony. In spite of her condition, her story sounded heroic and inspiring as she laboured hard to earn money no matter how little to enable her to go to school. The highlight of the story was an appeal for financial assistance for her to seek the right medical help and buy a prosthesis costing one million and eight hundred thousand naira (1,800,000).

“As part of our University’s determination to advance the cause of humanity, we are presenting Miss Karimot Lawal with a total sum of one million and eight hundred thousand naira (N1, 800,000) which is the full sum for the prosthesis as well as another two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250,000) in order for her to complete her university education without further stress.” She concluded, as she presented the sum of N2.05million cheques to Karimot on behalf of DELSU Vice-Chancellor.

The event had in attendance, delegates from Delta State University led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs) Roseline Aziza, wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. (Mrs) Otiaroghene Peremode, Professor Sani Awhefeada (University Orator), Professor (Mrs) Florenbce Ugoji (Senate Representative), Dr. Emma-Ibri Ufuophia (Senate Representative), Dr.(Mrs) Ugozi Nwabuoku (Director, Medical Services) and Mr. Freeborn Aganbi (University PRO).
Delegates from Osun State University include Dr. Adesote Adesola and Mr. Fagunwa Temitope, from the College of Humanities and Culture, Ikire.
Also in attendance are family members of the beneficiary, men of the press and a host of other well wishers.