The Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF) Scholarship Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students was officially launched on November 1, 2023, at the Moot Court of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.

 

Several dignitaries attended the event, including the Vice Chancellor represented by Prof. Suleiman Ambali (Deputy Vice-Chancellor), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Omotesho; the Registrar, Mr. Mansur Alfanla; the University Librarian's representative, Dr. Titilola Abdussalam; the Sub-Dean of Students' Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Kabir Garba; and Dr. Oyelakin Ogungbade, who was Dr. Sotonwa's undergraduate interpreter, among others.

 

The event started with an opening remark by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin Prof. Nimah Abdulraheem, who gave an overview of Dr. Sotonwa’s affiliation with the faculty.

 

The Chief Operating Officer of OSF, Mrs. Cassandra Sotonwa, presented a citation to Mrs. Annette Gannaway-Hudson, the Executive Vice President of Our Children's Homestead, USA, who was the keynote speaker.

 

The Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Gannaway-Hudson, spoke about an Inclusive Education Model for Academic Excellence. She emphasized the importance of educational institutions developing a comprehensive learning model that benefits all students, regardless of need, in order to attain academic greatness.

 

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Ambali, gave a goodwill message and restated the Disability policy of the University of Ilorin.

He praised Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, the founder of the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF), for his outstanding act of philanthropy toward the scholarship recipients and his alma mater.

According to Prof. Ambali, this outstanding donation demonstrates the Foundation's dedication to having a real influence on the academic community and making sure that all students, particularly those with disabilities, have access to high-quality education.
He also noted that there are no good reasons for failure and that the founder of the OSF, who is now the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, has in fact provided strong evidence that people with disabilities, can succeed.
 

Certificates and awards were presented by the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation, to the beneficiaries of the 2023 OSF Scholarship.

The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students (NANDS), Nehemiah Danjuma, received the prestigious Professor Konyinsola Fellowship Award worth Two hundred thousand naira in recognition of his outstanding contributions. The Foundation also awarded One hundred thousand naira scholarships each to 20 exceptional students in the OSF Exceptional Scholarship Awardees category.
 

Following the presentations, Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, the founder of OSF, gave a speech in which he highlighted the challenges that students with disabilities face in reaching their academic objectives.

Dr. Sotonwa expressed his gratitude to the University of Ilorin for the support the institution provided, including an interpreter and assistance in publishing his book during his undergraduate years.

He went on to say that the trailblazing endeavor is not only a tribute to the Foundation's commitment to uplifting neglected communities but also a vital step toward making quality education available to everyone, regardless of background or ability.

He proceeded to donate the sum of 1 million naira to the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.

 

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Prof. Nimah Abdulraheem, extended her appreciation to Dr. Sotonwa and the OSF for their unwavering commitment to increasing educational access and affordability for deaf students. She also commended his generous donation of the sum of N1 million to the faculty.

 

The launch of the OSF scholarship program was in collaboration with the Disability Law and Advocacy Project (DLAP), the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, and the National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students (NANDS).