ENROLLING a child to study at medical school is no mean feat especially when it comes to the financial investment involved. The Olajuwon family however decided to brave it and send their daughter, Folasade to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, finances took a downturn for that family. Folasade, then a 200-level medical student, had to take up a job to stay in school. However, it was a two-year contract which came to an end in 2022. Folasade, determined not to drop out of medical school as a 400-level student took to selling zobo (a drink made from Hibiscus flowers), raising cash from tutorials and selling clothing accessories to fend for herself. But as the jobs were few and far between, she knew she needed help.
Collins grew up in a family that highly values education. His father made sure the children faced their academics squarely. Collins had become a medical student at the University of Ibadan, when his father, the breadwinner of the family, died in 2020. Collins’ mother had to secure a loan for him continue his studies. Unfortunately, things remained difficult and repaying the loan was a Herculean task. Collins began to make plans on how he would excuse himself from medical school for at least one year so that he could go and work to gather enough funds for him to return to school.
Fortunately, both Folasade and Collins did not have to drop out of medical school. They are among 32 medical students sponsored by Jesus House Baltimore under the Sponsor a Student Programme (SASP) of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI).
Last Friday, at Paul Hendrickse Hall located within the University College Hospital premises, Ibadan, an award ceremony for the Jesus House Baltimore Scholarships and Pre-launch of the Global Sponsor-A-Student Programme (G-SASP) Board was held. The event featured the appreciation of donors from Jesus House, Baltimore, led by Pastor Tola Odutola, scholarships awards to the Jesus House Baltimore Scholars for the 2023/2024 session, and the formal pre-launch and introduction of the Global Sponsor A Student Programme (G-SASP) Board, an extension of the SASP.
Now a final year medical student, Folasade said she can now concentrate during classes. According to her the scholarship “has taken a huge burden off my shoulders. It is easier to come to school and pay attention in class. The scholarship has enabled me to pay attention when the lecturers are teaching me. I want to say thank you to the provost for the initiative and to my sponsors, Jesus House Baltimore.”
Collins, now a 500-level medical student, had this to say: “Things have really changed for me because now I do not have to worry about my school fees and I have been able to focus solely on my academics. I really appreciate this a lot.”
Pastor Odutola who gave a brief account of his background at the award ceremony, stated that: “I know what it is not to have! I know what it is to go through school without anything.”
He recalled he had to engage in several odd jobs including selling things at the popular Ogunpa market while attending Loyola College in Ibadan.
Outgoing provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, in her opening remarks at the event, stated there were many medical students who were struggling financially though they are among the brightest crop of medical students in Nigeria. This financial burden often affects their academic performance and overall well-being. She said that it was not proper for brilliant students to drop out of school due to lack of financial support.
“The students that get into College of Medicine, University of Ibadan are the best of the best. It is a strictly selective process on merit. About 90 percent of MBBS are in first class range.” Professor Omigbodun said.
She added that, “In any world class institution, a student should not have to drop out because they don’t have food to eat. Some of them have to do odd jobs to survive. This burden can be much and it affects their performance. While I believe that students should pay competitive school fees, I believe we can raise funders that will see them through the school.”
She recognised the pivotal role of Mr Idowu Lawanson, an alumnus of Loyola College, the contact person who initiated the process for the Jesus House Baltimore scholarship support.
Mr Lawanson told Nigerian Tribune that the idea came during his nephew’s induction ceremony at the College of Medicine where he noticed some indigent students. This eventually led him to Pastor Tayo Odutola of Jesus House, Baltimore, an alumnus of Loyola College. Another alumnus of Loyola College, Mr Ademola Olabisi, who was at the award ceremony attesting to this fact said, “Jesus House, Baltimore is doing what they are doing at the College of Medicine because Mr Lawanson discussed it with Pastor Odutola during my treatment at University College Hospital (UCH). I want to thank Jesus House Baltimore for their intervention.”
At present, Pastor Odutola and Jesus House Baltimore are the highest donors to the SASP fund with N13.74 million donated so far. It is estimated that about N880,000 which includes a N480,000 feeding allowance, at N40,000 per month, is needed to put a student through a session at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, currently.
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