Adeyinka Ologbenla Falusi Female Empowerment Programme (AOFFEP) in collaboration with Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) awarded monetary prizes to the Best Female Science Students in Ekiti State.
The annual empowerment programme which was initiated in 2011 took place on Tuesday 22nd March, 2021 at the C.A.C Grammar School, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti. It is an initiative of Prof Adeyinka Falusi, FAS, NPOM, a Nigerian Professor of Haematology, former Director of the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria and L’Oreal – UNESCO FWIS Laureate (Africa).
Prof. Falusi is also the TRUSTEE & Co-CHAIR of SCHAF, a non-governmental organisation which focuses on reducing the burden of SCD in Nigeria through increasing awareness and advocacy for prevention of SCD and improving the quality of care and support for sickle cell patients.
In her remarks, Mrs. Temitope Adedapo {nee Alake), the CHAIR of AOFFEP who represented Prof. Falusi at the 2021 annual presentation awards to the female science students, revealed that the empowerment programme is to encourage young girls to become great scientists like the founder of AOFFEP.
She said “Prof. Falusi delights in seeing young girls doing great. Her dream is to see young girls come after her and to support them to become whatsoever they want to be in life.”
In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Adedapo noted that AOFFEP, is organised for female science students in Ekiti who have interest in science, adding that “it is a motivation for them (the female students) to be great in their chosen career.
In her message, Prof. Falusi reiterated that “This is a proof that we cannot afford to deprive ourselves of the talents of half of humanity. Women advance science and science advances the world.” Falusi continues to contribute to the recognition of women and girls and to provide the encouragement for their commitment to science with energy and passion.
In a competitive Science exam, 7 female students emerged as beneficiaries of the 2021 AOFFEP awards, in which the 1st, 2nd and 3rd best female science students were given cash prize and Certificates of Award, while the other 3 female students were awarded certificate of commendation.
The students were: Faleye Esther, the 1st Prize from Federal Government Girls College; Jegede Oluwatosin, the 2nd Prize from Our Saviour’s Grammar School; Afolabi Morenikeji, from Efon High School, and Babade Oyeyemi of Efon State High School tied for the 3rd Prize. Ojo Olajumoke, of CAC Grammar School, Aladejare Oluwadamilola of Federal Govt, Girls School, and Jegede Boluwatife of Ekiti State Government College were given commendation awards.
In the course of the programme, Mr. Abayomi Odetunde, the Director of Operations of SCHAF, a medical laboratory scientist addressed the students and participants on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness and Prevention. He also organised the Blood Phenotyping using the Point of Care- HemotypeSC method which was approved by World Health Organisation (W.H.O).
A bonus at this event was the free distribution of SCHAF branded face masks to further educate on and encourage protection against the ravaging scourge of COVID-19.
The beneficiaries of the cash prizes expressed their gratitude to Prof. Adeyinka Falusi for setting up such an initiative which serves as a motivation and encouragement to them.
Faleye Esther, the 1st Prize recipient said, “I am delighted in this empowerment programme and I thank the founder, Prof Falusi, for recognizing me as one of the students that benefits from the programme. She advised her other colleagues to buckle up in their studies in order to be part of other empowerment programmes and achieve their purpose in life”.
Jegede Oluwatosin, the 2nd recipient, disclosed that “I appreciate Prof. Falusi’s efforts in bringing out the best in us.” She prayed that God will continue to bless her and support her in all her ways. She also advised other students to keep up with their studies, noting that someday, they can express their knowledge and the best in them”.
Afolabi Morenikeji, the 3rd Prize recipient stated that “My advice to other students is that they should focus on their education, buckle up, and use Prof Falusi as an example.” She added that “we appreciate what Prof. Falusi did and we say a big thank you to her.”
The Vice Principal of the Federal Government College, Efon Alaaye, Mrs. Sarah Shonuga, expressed her appreciation to Prof. Falusi for bringing up the initiative since the past 10 years.
She noted that “if there are programmes like this every time, we will have less female children going out to do other things they are not supposed to do. We are going to have less of our female children going to the market to sell instead of studying. We will have less of teenage pregnancy. ”She therefore advised the young girls to remain focused and have the belief that they can strive to achieve the best in life. Gone are the days when preference was given only to the male children, but today, the girls are receiving encouragement from every aspect of the society.”
Mr Olukayode Faleye, father of Esther Faleye, also appreciated the philanthropic gestures of Prof. Falusi, adding that what she is doing is a way of developing talents. He urged other influential personalities in the societies to emulate Prof Falusi in empowering those around them.
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