The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, won the award of the Most Outstanding Public University in the geo-political zone at the maiden South-West Nigeria Education Awards, organised by Excellent Media Group and held at the University of Ibadan.

Also, the outstanding lecturers, polytechnic, state and private universities were announced at the event. Among the winners of the outstanding lecturers award at the event, were the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, OAU, Prof Durotoluwa Oyedele; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Prof Abayomi Fasina; and Dr Tomi Alade of the University of Lagos.

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The Redeemer University, Ede in Osun State, won the Most Outstanding Private University award, while the founder of the University, Pastor Enoch Adeboye was named as one of the pillars of education.

A graduate of Medicine at the OAU, Miss Arinola Olaiya, won the Most Outstanding Student award for breaking a 30-year academic record at the institution.

Speaking about the awards, the organizer of the event, Honey Olawale said it was meant to address some of the vices involving lecturers and students in tertiary institutions and to raise awareness about the need for wealthy individuals in the society to contribute to the growth of education in the area.

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He said, “The South-West Nigeria Education Award is all about honouring and appreciating those who have been working hard in the education sector. We have various categories of awards, in all 41 awardees were honoured for this year’s event. It is limited to the South-West.

“To choose the outstanding lecturers of the year was a huge task because we had to visit the schools and we talked to the students who voted for the winners. It took over four months to choose them.”