AOJF Awards Research Grants to Deserving FUNAABites

The Prof. Abayomi Oluwatosin Jiboku Foundation (AOJF) has awarded research grants to selected students from the Biochemistry Department of the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS) and the Chemistry Department of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

The grant presentation ceremony took place at the Green Chamber on June 14, 2024.

Responding to the gesture, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, expressed his gratitude to the AOJF Board Chairman, Engr. (Dr.) Idowu Jiboku, and other Board members including Mr. Obawunmi Jiboku and Prof. Joshua Aransiola.

Prof. Kehinde highlighted the significance of the Foundation’s initiative, noting that the University did not solicit the grant, making the gesture even more appreciated.

The Vice-Chancellor shared his connection to the late Prof. Abayomi Jiboku, recalling that he was his Chemistry tutor during his A-Levels at the Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.

He described Prof. Jiboku as a mentor and a conscientious educator whose legacy is being admirably sustained by his family and associates through the Foundation.

The Vice-Chancellor urged the grant recipients to fully commit to their research projects, emphasising the importance of producing high-quality work that would make FUNAAB proud and justify the Foundation’s support.

He assured AOJF that the grants would significantly impact the academic and research endeavours of the students.

Responding on behalf of the Foundation, Engr. (Dr.) Idowu Jiboku noted that FUNAAB was the last of five universities visited by the Foundation, yet it became the first to receive the grant.

He attributed this to the commitment and leadership style of the Vice-Chancellor.

Dr. Jiboku stressed the Foundation’s goal of encouraging high-quality undergraduate research, reflecting the excellence that Prof. Jiboku was known for.

The grant recipients from the Biochemistry Department included Miss Tosin Ogunsola (₦140,000); Miss Balikis Atlas (₦125,000); Mr. Oluwatobi Adedokun (₦80,000), Mr. Opeoluwa Olaleye  (₦125,000), and Mr. Johnson Fadeyi (₦115,000).

Recipients From the Chemistry Department were Mr. Rahman Atoota (₦120,000); Mr. Timileyin Adesanmi (₦150,000); Miss Ruth Wusu (₦120,000); Miss Aishat Busari (₦80,000), and Mr. Marvelous Adelere (₦150,000).

In her Vote of Thanks, The Ag. Registrar, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu appreciated the AOJF on behalf of the University for their generosity, assuring that the grants would be used judiciously.

She commended the Vice-Chancellor’s openness and the University’s conducive environment, which facilitated the grants for the students.

The event was attended by prominent University officials including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo; University Librarian, Dr. Abayomi Owolabi; Dean, COLPHYS, Prof. Adio Akinwale; Representative of the Dean, COLBIOS and the Deputy Dean, COLBIOS, Dr. Adejare Oloyede; Head of the Chemistry Department, Prof. Janet Bamgbose, and the Ag. Head, Biochemistry Department, Dr. Beno Onunkwor.