The Students Affairs Division, University of Lagos in partnership with a non-governmental organization, Girl On Another Level (GOAL), on Thursday, May 11, 2023, held an interactive session which featured the distribution of essential commodities to indigent students.
The programme, held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka, is part of the efforts aimed at providing succor and empowerment to students of the University. The donor organization, GOAL was represented at the event by Mrs Usifoh-Charity Agbonma, the mother of the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of GOAL, Dr. Adeola – Daniela Uchechukwuma; as well as Dr. Toriola Femi-Adebayo and Dr. Victoria Egunjobi who are members of the organisation’s Board of Trustees.
Speaking at the event, the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola who represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola FAS, expressed delight that the representatives of the donor-organisation were products of UNILAG. He appreciated the NGO for initiating the food-support project, and urged current students of the institution to take a cue from the donors who returned to their alma-mata to give back to students.
According to him, “nobody is totally self-sufficient, nobody has it all. Not every student is privileged to have enough food stuff at this time of the semester with examinations fast approaching, and food is essential as the stomach must be filled to enhance acquisition of knowledge. The support being provided by GOAL led by our former students will go a long way to provide succor to indigent students”.
The DSA advised current students of the University to remain focused to their studies, and aspire to make a difference in their chosen career after successfully completing their degree programmes.
Mother and representative of the Founder of GOAL, Mrs Usifoh-Charity Agbonma stated that her daughter, Dr. Adeola – Daniela Uchechukwuma has always been passionate about women empowerment and providing girls with quality education. She explained that this is based on her conviction that “when you educate woman, a nation is educated’.
Her words, “we are glad to see indigent students smiling with a sense of belonging and affection. Nobody grows or progress alone in the journey of life”. Mrs Usifoh-Charity Agbonma urged the students not be wasteful, and be determined to make a difference in life.
Similarly, in a brief remark at the event, a member of GOAL’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Toriola Femi- Adebayo thanked the management, staff and students of the University for the support and platform provided for their initiative. She explained that the special focus and target group of GOAL included empowering and providing welfare to young people and girls so that they can achieve all round excellence, particularly in their education.
Dr. Toriola Femi-Adebayo reiterated the NGO’s commitment to continuously support efforts to raise champions and excellent future leaders, through welfare and academic sustenance initiatives.
One of the students who benefited from the programme, Emeka Okeke expressed gratitude to GOAL on behalf of the students of the University, and promised to make the UNILAG and its partners proud.
