By Ibitola Babatope
There was widespread excitement, gratitude, and renewed hope across communities in Ekiti State as Otunba Oluwadare Owolabi populary known as Irawo Owuro successfully concluded a two-day educational outreach under his charity platform, the Irawo Owuro Foundation.
The initiative, which officially commenced on Monday, June 23, 2026, saw the launch of Phase One across several communities including Iludun, Iye, Ido, Otun, and Igbole. Rather than a formal unveiling, the Foundation adopted a grassroots approach, taking the intervention directly to schools and engaging students, teachers, and community leaders in meaningful ways.
The momentum continued into Phase Two on Tuesday, as the outreach train moved across Oye and Ikole Local Government areas, extending its impact to more schools including Omu Ijelu High School, St. Augustine Comprehensive High School (Oye), Ansar-Ud-Deen High School (Ikole), and Odo Oro High School.
At every stop, the atmosphere was filled with joy and appreciation. Outstanding students were identified and rewarded across key subjects, while exceptional teachers were also recognized for their dedication to academic excellence. School authorities, traditional rulers, and parents consistently described the initiative as timely, impactful, and deeply inspiring.
Speaking throughout the visits, Otunba Owolabi reiterated that his passion for educational support spans over three decades, emphasizing that the initiative is rooted in a long-standing personal commitment to help young people overcome financial barriers. He urged students to see the recognition as both a reward and a responsibility, to remain disciplined, focused, and committed to excellence.
A particularly emotional moment was recorded at Odo Oro High School, his alma mater, where he described the visit as a homecoming and reflected on how similar encouragement shaped his own journey. He also hinted at plans to expand the initiative to more schools across the state in the coming year.
The outreach was rounded off with a courtesy visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Babatunde Adebayo Jemilehin, the Onise of Odo Oro Ekiti, symbolizing the cultural and communal significance of the initiative.
By the end of the two-day exercise, the Irawo Owuro Foundation had awarded a total of 60 scholarships across 10 secondary schools, committing millions of naira toward advancing education and empowering the next generation.
For many of the beneficiaries, the support went beyond financial assistance, it served as recognition, motivation, and a renewed belief in their future. Community leaders, including the Olugbole of Igbole Ekiti, commended the initiative and encouraged students to pair academic excellence with strong character.
As the Irawo Owuro Foundation sets the pace with this impactful beginning, it has clearly established a vision that goes beyond charity, transforming lives, inspiring hope, and creating opportunities for young people across Ekiti State.
