Christmas: 50 Get Scholarships As Ooni Throws Party For Children

As part of the activities marking this Year's Christmas celebration, the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II on Tuesday hosted students in Ile-Ife at a fun party where he awarded 50 of them scholarships.

While receiving the children who are students of primary and secondary schools, as well as Schools for persons with Special Needs at his ancient Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife, Ooni Ogunwusi urged the kids to pick only from good mentors in the society.

Speaking through his queen, Olori Temitope Adesegun-Ogunwusi, who doubles as CEO of the Ooni's NGO; Hopes Alive Initiatives (HAI), the Ooni urged the children to remain focused in their education, imbibe the spirit of hardwork and look up to good people with impeccably virtuous character as mentors and role models.

"While you listen to music, watch movies and socialize, pick from what is good only. Do not imbibe bad habits because such is capable of destroying you and your purpose in life.

"Kabiyesi cannot wait to hear and celebrate your success stories in the nearest future, so he is urging you to be right and do right at all times.

"To our daddies and mummies here present, we need to train these children to have the fear of God. When a child fears God, he/she will be diligent, hardworking, obedient to their parents and on every other people that they come in contact with." Queen Temmy said.

In the same vein, wife of the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Olusola Adewusi, described Christmas season as a special moment of reflection on one's purpose in life and exclusive moment of praise to the Most High God. 

She said, "Like the queen just mentioned, let us learn from the good life and time of our Lord Jesus Christ and reflect this always. Be good children at home, school and everywhere you go."

Peak of the event was the cultural and academic presentation by the children, during which lucky 50 of them were selected and awarded scholarships. Those selected who are students of secondary and primary schools in Ile-Ife as well as those from School for Students with Special Needs.

The beautiful event was packaged by Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) and supported by Propertymart lead sponsor, Indomie Instant Noodles, Stanbic IBTC and Ijebu lawa.