The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) has awarded a sum of one million naira to a first class graduate in Medicine.

The award presentation which took place today, Thursday, during a zoom meeting was moderated by the association’s Acting General-Secretary, Comrade Iyeye Peter, noting that the presentation was a continuation of one of the agenda Comrade Quadri Olaleye’s  led-administration embarked on  to contribute to the development of education and to  encourage excellence in Nigeria’s educational sector.

The association’s Acting General-Secretary, Comrade Iyeye Peter while presenting the cheque to the  first class graduate in Medicine

In his opening remarks, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, the National President, FOBTOB, who is also President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), frowned at the way Nigerian governments are not recognising excellence in the educational sector. He said that the governments and corporate organizations have placed more priority in awarding entertainers than awarding academic excellence.

He noted that the presentation of award is to challenge the status quo and, FOBTOB taking the lead in encouraging the recognition of graduates with academic excellence.

“It has been discovered that the country is not doing enough to encourage students to struggle for excellence because presentation of awards to education even within our sector is very low.”

 “You will see corporate organizations presenting award of cheque of two hundred thousand naira or laptop to first class graduands. We find out that it is not too good. Looking at what were presented to the last BBnaija winner, who comes from Ogun state, apart from the Innoson jeep presented to him, the state government also awarded him two million naira and a 3-bedroom flat. He was also given a chieftaincy title in his village.

“If Big Brother naija winner can get as much as that, what are we doing to students of academic excellence who have first class in the discipline of their study?” he asked.

In his remarks, the Managing-Director, Western Africa Seasoning Company (WASCO), Mr. Niki Junichi acknowledged the exemplary leadership of FOBTOB’s executives and appreciated the union for keeping the flag of awarding excellence flying.  

Also, a branch chairman, WASCO, Emmanuel Idogen, appreciated the National President, FOBTOB, for his commitment in recognising academic excellence, and other senior members of the union for their supports in investing towards developing education in the country.

He thanked God for being part the history, and also commended the leadership qualities exhibited by FOBTOB’s national President.

The awardee expressed his gratitude to FOBTOB leadership, led by Comrade Quadri Olaleye, and the Managing Dircector of WASCO, Mr. Niki Junichi, for creating time to celebrate and honour him the award.

 “I am grateful and glad that everyone took out of their time to celebrate me today; I just want to say a big thank you for making this possible. A big thanks goes to my parents for their prayers and supports throughout my medical school. ”

The award ceremony had in attendance the National President of FOBTOB, Comrade Quadri Olaleye; the Managing-Director of WASCO, Mr.  Niki Junichi; the Vice-President, FOBTOB, western zone, Comrade Bunmi Adesanya; the; National Treasurer,  FOBTOB, Comrade Aderogba Adebayo; Ex-officio Women Affairs, FOBTOB, Comrade Olivia Odunokwe; Acting Gneral Secretary, FOBTOB, Comrade Iyeye Peter; Branch Chairman, WASCO, Comrade Emmanuel Idogen; Immediate Past Chairman, WASCO, Comrade Collins; the father of the Awardee; and the Awardee.