HCBBO FOUNDATION BRINGS HOPE TO 203 STUDENTS, AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES ACROSS ONDO STATE
The HCBBO Foundation, established by the High Chief Bode Osedimilehin, the Basegun of Owo Kingdom, and Yeye Basegun Betty Osedimilehin, has once again demonstrated its commitment to educational development and humanitarian service by awarding scholarships and bursaries to deserving students across different levels of education.
Speaking on the background and vision of the foundation, the Coordinator of HCBBO Foundation at Pelly Hall Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure on Thursday 17th of September,2026, Mr. Osedimilehin Dele-Johnson, disclosed that the organisation was established in 2024 out of the desire of the founders to support indigent but academically promising students whose educational aspirations could be truncated by financial difficulties. According to him, the initiative was born out of compassion and the conviction that no intelligent and hardworking student should be denied quality education simply because of his or her financial background.
He explained that the foundation commenced its intervention within its local government in 2024 before expanding its reach to Akure South Local Government in 2025, while the latest edition has extended its intervention to students in Akure North and Akure South. He added that the foundation was also looking forward to extending the initiative to Ile-Ife in Osun State in the following week, stressing that the objective remained to identify and assist students who genuinely required financial support to continue their education.
Giving an insight into the impact of the programme, Dele-Johnson revealed that 18 schools and 69 pupils benefited from the current intervention in Akure North and Akure South, while the total number of beneficiaries of the foundation’s scholarship and bursary scheme had risen to 203 students, including 21 medical and dentistry students studying in public universities across Nigeria. He stated that beneficiaries at the secondary school level received ₦100,000 each, while students in higher institutions received ₦200,000 each.
Also speaking at the occasion, HRM Oba Barrister Adeleke Adefemi Adegbite, the Owa Ali Adimula of Ikare Land, commended High Chief Bode Osedimilehin and Yeye Basegun Betty for the initiative, describing it as a significant service to humanity. The monarch prayed that God would continue to strengthen and bless the couple, noting that their intervention could prevent some students from dropping out of school and ultimately produce future beneficiaries who would testify to the impact of the foundation’s support.
Oba Adegbite charged the beneficiaries not to take the opportunity for granted, urging them to remain serious, disciplined and committed to their studies. He also appealed to wealthy Nigerians and other privileged members of society to emulate the Osedimilehins by using their resources to support humanity, particularly through educational opportunities for less-privileged young people. He maintained that education remains one of the greatest legacies anyone can give to society.
In a similar vein, HRM Oba Olu Falae, the Olu of Ilu-Abo, called on individuals, organisations and groups to support education in every possible way, describing it as one of the most effective means of transforming individuals, their fortunes and society at large. He congratulated and appreciated the HCBBO Foundation for sustaining what he described as a noble programme, expressing hope that more Nigerians with the resources would emulate the gesture and give hope to young people through educational support.
Other traditional rulers at the event also applauded the foundation for its intervention. Oba Okeluse thanked the organisers for investing in the education of young people and urged the beneficiaries to dedicate themselves fully to their studies so that they could make their parents, the organisers and the country proud. He equally called on well-to-do members of society to invest in the youth through scholarships and other educational interventions as a way of reducing illiteracy and creating a brighter future for communities.
Similarly, Oba Oloyede Adekoya, the Ojimo of Okeluse, advocated increased investment in the education of young people, stressing that empowering them educationally would enable them to become productive citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to the development of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Government on Scholarship, Alhaji Samaji Orijeminiye, also commended the HCBBO Foundation for the scholarship intervention, describing the gesture as an act of kindness, generosity and compassion worthy of emulation. He expressed happiness that the initiative had continued beyond a one-time intervention, noting that the sustainability of the programme would encourage more people to support educational development.
Orijeminiye further stated that the Ondo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was intentional about transforming scholarship administration in the state. He explained that his appointment was aimed at ensuring that scholarship became value-driven and sustainable rather than seasonal or treated as an ad hoc programme. He added that his office was also working to harness resources and encourage individuals such as Bode and Betty Osedimilehin to complement government efforts, stressing that government alone could not meet all educational needs.
On government scholarships and bursaries for students in tertiary institutions, the SSA disclosed that arrangements had been concluded and approval obtained for disbursement, with only final logistical processes being addressed. He assured students who had applied and successfully completed the screening process that they would be invited for the flag-off of the disbursement in the coming weeks.
The HCBBO Foundation scholarship and bursary initiative therefore stands as a significant demonstration of the power of private philanthropy in strengthening education and giving hope to young Nigerians. Through its continued support for indigent and academically promising students, the foundation is not only providing immediate financial relief to beneficiaries but also investing in the future of families, communities, Ondo State and Nigeria at large.