MTN Foundation donates E-library to Obafemi Awolowo University,
…institutes a 3-year scholarship for eight lucky students.
As part of its continued investment in youth development, education and empowerment, MTN Foundation at a virtual event today, handed over an e-library to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The e-library is named after the philanthropist and former Minister of Health, who is now Chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni.
The university has become the latest recipient of the e-library intervention by the MTN Foundation joining University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Nigeria and University of Benin.
While giving his remark, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni said the infrastructure would grant students easy access to additional resources to broaden their learning.
“Buying books for me has been a lifelong investment and when it was time to give them away, my alma-mater, the Obafemi Awolowo University came to mind. On speaking with the school librarian, it became necessary to equip the library with some digital resources and this was where the MTN Foundation came in.
Brightening lives and empowering youths has always been a priority for us at the MTN Foundation. Providing adequate infrastructure for students to access quality education physically or virtually is of utmost importance. This is why we have worked together on this project to empower the students for a formidable future in the new digital era. The world has gone digital and we will not wait behind.”
In her remark, the Ag. Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya stated, “The upgrade of the Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi Library to an e-library is a critical project for the MTN Foundation. Certainly, we place a premium on empowerment and full access to information as evidenced by the libraries we established in four universities across the country including the University of Lagos, the Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Benin and the University of Nigeria”
Commenting further, she highlighted that “This particular library is special because it is tied to the legacy of a man we at the MTN Foundation hold in very high esteem. A man dedicated to the wealth and development of generations. It has been upgraded to deliver even more value for the students of this great institution. We trust that the symbolism of the inspirational leader who this library is named after is not lost on those who use it. Till date, 273 students of the OAU have benefitted from the Science and Technology Scheme of the MTN Foundation. In honour of our Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the MTN Foundation is instituting the Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR, mni Prize for Pharmacy and Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR, mni Prize for Law. The 3-year scholarship for pharmacy and law students will benefit eight outstanding scholars from universities across the country.”
Commending MTN Foundation for the donation, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede said:
“We are excited that the Chairman, through the MTN Foundation, decided to bestow this honor on the Obafemi Awolowo University. What we have in the Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi e-Library has assisted us in obtaining the university’s accreditation, which earned us a hundred percent. We appreciate the MTN Foundation for this contribution and are committed to setting and implementing sustainable measures to ensure that these resources are put to the best use. This gesture will accelerate students’ learning and bridge the gap in areas where textbooks are not readily available.”
The MTN Foundation continues to support education as a part of its four causes – Youth Empowerment, Arts and Culture, Maternal and Child Health and National Priority.