Akinwuntan Family Fulfils Second Edition of Annual University Scholarship for Lagere Parish Youths
The Parish Community of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife, witnessed another remarkable moment of benevolence on Sunday, 16 November 2025, as the second edition of the annual university scholarship scheme established by Chiefs Patrick and Eva Akinwuntan came to fruition. The initiative, now becoming a defining legacy of the couple’s pastoral commitment, continues to uplift young scholars within the parish community.
Akahi News reported the first set of beneficiaries last year, when nine parish youths received the maiden edition of the grant on 17 November 2024 — nine months after its official pronouncement during the installation of Parish Chiefs on 8 February 2024. At that ceremony, Chief Akinwuntan, who serves as Baba Ewe with his wife, Iya Ewe, pledged to support ten university students every year for a sustained period. This year’s fulfilment confirms that promise.
A Growing Legacy of Philanthropy
According to details obtained by Akahi News, each beneficiary of the 2025 edition received ₦250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) — a substantial financial cushion enabling students to meet academic needs amid rising educational costs.
For the 2025 cycle, twenty-four youths applied within the one-week application window. After a rigorous selection process, ten students were shortlisted, reflecting both merit and parish engagement.
The 2025 Beneficiaries
The ten deserving recipients include:
- Onyia Jennifer – B.A. German Language, 300 Level, OAU
- Erinle Kizito – B.Sc. Science Laboratory Technology, 200 Level, Lagos State University
- Oluponna Catherine – B.Sc. Psychology, 200 Level, OAU
- Oodoh Francisca – B.Sc. Botany, 200 Level, OAU
- Arayemi Akinlabi – B.Sc. Surveying & Geoinformatics, 300 Level, OAU
- Adelakun Damilola – B.A. Linguistics, 300 Level, OAU
- Nzekwe Theresa – B.Sc. Computer Science & Software Engineering, 200 Level, OAU
- Busari Pauline – B.Ed. Social Science Education, 200 Level, Federal University of Education, Ondo
- Christopher Adedeji – B.A. Theatre Arts, 200 Level, Osun State University
- Ajayi Emmanuel – B.Ed. Educational Management, 200 Level, Ekiti State University
In a testament to academic excellence, Onyia Jennifer, Erinle Kizito, and Nzekwe Theresa, who benefited from the 2024 edition, once again secured places in the 2025 cohort due to their exceptional performance.
Selection Criteria Rooted in Merit and Parish Commitment
Speaking with journalists after the Mass, the Parish Priest, Revd Fr Peter Adeyemi, shed light on the meticulous selection standards used in the process.
He emphasised that the scholarship is designed primarily for active parish youths who demonstrate upright moral character and genuine financial need. According to him, any applicant who is not meaningfully engaged as a member of the Youth Organisation, Altar Server Corps, Choir, or Lectors’ Guild — whether at Lagere Parish or at St Patrick, Parakin — is deemed ineligible except under extraordinary circumstances.
In addition, the grant is not intended for children of affluent families, a principle meant to ensure fairness and target those who need the support most.
Fr Adeyemi also noted that:
- Students who failed two courses and scored below 50 in three courses in the previous academic year were disqualified.
- Freshers who just gained admission in 2025 were excluded but encouraged to apply next year, pending their academic record.
These criteria, Akahi News gathered, were instituted to sustain a culture of excellence, discipline, and genuine engagement in parish life.
A Transformative Gift to Parish Youths
The Parish Priest lauded the Akinwuntan family for their unwavering generosity, describing the gesture as a transformative intervention that has eased the burdens of parents and unlocked the academic and professional potentials of the beneficiaries.
He remarked that the couple’s commitment has “fostered growth, inspired hope, and created avenues for the realisation of dreams”, enabling young parishioners to pursue their ambitions with renewed confidence.
According to him, the initiative has become a beacon of encouragement for youths who might otherwise struggle to navigate the financial hurdles associated with tertiary education.
Fr Adeyemi encouraged the beneficiaries to distinguish themselves through diligence and responsibility, adding that the best way to honour the sponsors’ philanthropy is by excelling and later replicating similar acts of kindness in their future endeavours.
Presentation of Cheques and Disbursement
During the 10:00 am Mass, the beneficiaries — each accompanied by a parent — received presentation cheques in recognition of their achievement.
Akahi News learnt that actual bank transfers of the ₦250,000 grants were completed during the week, ensuring immediate access to funds for academic use.
This symbolic presentation, followed by prompt disbursement, further underscores the transparent and sincere execution of the annual programme.
Support for Secondary and Primary Students
In addition to the university scholarship scheme, the Parish Priest acknowledged another significant contribution within the parish.
He disclosed that the Baba Isale Ijo, Chief Augustine Omisade, recently funded scholarship support for thirteen secondary and primary school pupils, expanding the parish’s broader mission of educational empowerment.
This layered support system, Akahi News gathered, has positioned SS Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral as a model community where faith and social responsibility intersect meaningfully.
A Tradition of Hope, A Future of Possibilities
The annual Akinwuntan Scholarship has now evolved from a laudable promise to a sustained tradition of hope, touching lives year after year. The second edition, much like the first, has reaffirmed the parish’s shared belief that empowering young people is critical to shaping a more promising future.
As parishioners rejoiced with the beneficiaries, the spirit of gratitude echoed through the community — gratitude for generosity, for opportunity, and for the quiet but profound transformation unfolding within their midst.
Akahi News will continue to monitor and report future editions of this admirable educational intervention.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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