The Gbemiga Abiodun Memorial Education Support Program has awarded millions of naira to students in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions across Ogun state, a programme which is the initiative of the Governor Dapo Abiodun, and his family.
Penpushing reports that the programme which was second edition held at Christ Apostolic Grammar School in Iperu-Remo town of the state was established in memory of their son Gbemiga, who passed away on October 7, 2017.
The sum of ₦39,750,000 was awarded to 159 beneficiaries from nine tertiary institutions in the state, as well as provision of ₦14,700,000 to 294 primary school pupils and ₦36,600,000 to 366 secondary school students across the local government areas of Ikenne, Remo-North, and Sagamu
Penpushing further reports that Abiodun speaking at the ceremony, described his late son as a serial entrepreneur who was full of life and extremely generous to those around him, explaining that in honour of the creative industry, to which his son belonged, the foundation has introduced a new category called “The Creative Students Category”
The Governor promised that his family would continue to increase the number of student beneficiaries while expanding the program to other local government areas within the state, stating that the program, which began in 2023 with around 600 beneficiaries, has now added 400 more students across the same categories.
“We have also added another category, ‘The Creative Students Category,’ because Gbemiga was extremely creative. Applications for this category will remain open for the next few months to identify potential beneficiaries’, he said.
“We will continue to increase the number of student beneficiaries and expand this program from the three Remo Local Government Areas where Gbemiga was from, to the other 17 local government areas of the state’, Abiodun added.
Penpushing also reports that he pointed out that while his family lost a son, they have gained thousands of children through the initiative, adding that the deceased was known to generous to a fault while still alive
“Gbemiga was a serial entrepreneur from a young age, just like many of you seated here today. He was full of life, generous to a fault, and deeply compassionate, especially toward the less privileged. If Gbemiga had ₦100 and you asked for his support, he would give you the entire ₦100 before remembering to keep five Naira for himself,” the father said.
‘It brings us joy to continue this program in memory of his character of giving, something he was very passionate about. We started this initiative last year in 2023 to turn a day of sadness into one of remembrance and to impact the lives of others’, he added
“We began with approximately 600 beneficiaries, slightly more, across different educational categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. I have also placed an undisclosed sum in an endowment account. To date, I have not made any contributions from others, despite pressure from friends. I wanted to establish the program to this point before opening it for outside support’, Abiodun emphasised.
Penpushing reports that the foundation’s coordinator, Reverend Bola Oyeledun, in his remarks emphasized that the foundation is not just about providing financial aid but also about supporting and monitoring the beneficiaries throughout their educational journey
The coordinator appealed to heads of institutions to continue keeping their doors open to the foundation, noting that the foundation will continue to grow, ensuring sustained impact on the lives of students in the state.
Penpushing further reports that Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, and a consultant to the foundation, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu expressed gratitude to the Governor for establishing the scholarship in memory of his late son and encouraged the beneficiaries to excel in their studies.
The deceased close friend, Afolabi Seriki, while speaking at the well-attended programme described Gbemiga as a good friend who excelled both academically and in his side hustle as a renowned disc jockey
Penpushing also reports that three of the beneficiaries, Yahaya Soliat, Adebanjo Goodluck, and Evelyn Falaye, from the primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, respectively, speaking on behalf of others thanked the Governor and his family for the educational support, adding that the initiative would greatly assist in meeting their educational needs.
The event’s highlight was the presentation of cheques to the heads of tertiary institutions and the parents of pupils and students from primary and secondary schools in the state, while those interested in applying for the ‘Creative Students Category,’ applicants must be indigenes of Ikenne, Remo-North, or Sagamu Local Government Areas between the ages of 6 and 25 years and can apply at www.gbemigaabiodunfoundation.org. with deadline for applications put at October 7, 2025.
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