Okomu Oil Palm Company has reaffirmed its commitment to education by awarding bursaries to 56 students from 18 communities bordering its operations in Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas for the 2024/2025 academic session.
In a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Graham Hefer, represented by the company’s Industrial Coordinator, Leonit Shaji, disclosed that the number of beneficiaries was increased from 46 in 2023 to 56 in 2024 to accommodate more students. The bursary amount was also raised from N110,000 to N150,000 per recipient.
Hefer said, “As a company, we recognize the importance of education in advancing any society and the need to contribute our quota to Indigenous students from neighbouring communities in our plantations. Hence, the introduction of the bursary scheme.”
Despite the economic challenges facing businesses, Hefer noted, “We have not only increased the bursary slots but also the amount per recipient to ensure that the fund adequately caters to the academic needs of the students.”
He urged the beneficiaries to be worthy ambassadors of their communities and the company, encouraging them to steer clear of social vices such as drug abuse and cultism, which are detrimental to their future.
Some of the recipients expressed gratitude to Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc. They acknowledged the positive impact the bursary will have on their academic pursuits and praised the company for its consistent commitment to supporting education.
In a related development, community representatives gathered for the second edition of the company’s bi-annual community training. The event focused on the role of effective communication in fostering growth.
Guest speaker and lecturer at Igbinedion University Okada, Innocent Eguasa, emphasized the importance of understanding the peculiarities of both the company and its host communities to achieve sustainability.
The statement noted that community leaders, including Enoch Sulubor, Ifaluyi Efionayi, and Alfred Osifo, commended Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc for its investment in the development of their communities and assured the company of their continued support.
