By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Students’ Union bodies across Okitipupa, Irele, and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas wish to express our deep concern regarding the recently publicized scholarship scheme announced by Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc (OOP Plc).
Contrary to the claims made by the company’s management, no student within our three local government areas has received, accessed, or benefited from any such scholarship form or support. The unions representing thousands of students across these communities were never consulted, informed, or engaged at any stage of this alleged scholarship process.
As stakeholders and legitimate representatives of students in the host communities, we find it troubling that a programme purportedly designed for indigent pupils and students was executed without the involvement of the local students’ leadership and without any visible beneficiary on record.
At this moment, the Students’ Union bodies cannot verify the authenticity of the said scholarship scheme, as no member of the student community across Okitipupa, Irele, or Ese-Odo has acknowledged receiving a form, notification, or benefit of any kind. This raises serious questions about transparency, credibility, and the actual implementation of the initiative.
We, therefore, call on the management of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc to:
- Provide full clarification on how the scholarship forms were distributed;
- Publish the list of beneficiaries across the host communities;
- Engage the appropriate student bodies moving forward to ensure genuine impact;
- Avoid using students’ welfare for publicity without real action.
The students of the three local government areas deserve fairness, transparency, and true corporate responsibility, not programmes announced in the media but nonexistent in reality.
We remain committed to protecting the interests and welfare of students across our communities and will continue to demand accountability from organizations operating within our environment.
Signed:
Com. Busayo Michael I.
President, National Union Of Ikale Students (NUIKAS)
Sen. Prince Adeoye Omoleminu
National President, NUOLGS
Comr. Omokuwajo Opeyemi Poroye
National President, NAILGOS
Comr. Uguoji Duba Isaac
National President, Federation of Ese-Odo Local Government Students (FELGOS)