“This stands as the largest welfare intervention ever recorded on the OAU campus.” — OAU SU President, David Adelani (Itabi)
“More welfare initiatives are already in the pipeline.” — Osunleke Musab, SU Welfare Officer
In a landmark achievement for student welfare at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the Students’ Union Welfare Officer, Osunleke Musab, has successfully distributed over 4,000 food items to students across the campusan initiative widely celebrated as a historic first.
The President of the Great Ife Students’ Union, David Adelani (Itabi), described the gesture as “the largest welfare intervention ever recorded on the OAU campus,” underscoring its significance in the university’s history.
The food relief outreach, which provided essential staples such as rice, spaghetti, and garri, reached more than 4,000 students. The initiative has been praised for easing the financial burden on students and helping to ensure that many do not go to bed hungry.
Speaking on the success of the programme, Musab expressed sincere gratitude to the key supporters who made the project possible. He particularly commended the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Osun State, Babatola Faseru, whom he described as one of the programme’s strongest backers. “He believes in feeding students and ensuring full security during the programme,” Musab noted.
Other notable supporters included the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Honourable Awoyeye, and BUA Foods, all of whom played crucial roles in the execution of the mass feeding exercise.
Musab further revealed that the initiative is part of a broader agenda to redefine welfare under his administration.
“This is a historic moment the first time an individual has been able to feed over 4,000 students on this campus. We are already planning another massive welfare programme during the test and examination period,” he stated.
He added that the next edition, set to hold soon, will feature even larger numbers and will be rebranded as the Food Relief Festival.
Abdulroheem Arogundade, a committee member who helped with the disbursement of the food explained that rice was distributed on the first day, with some students receiving more than one Congo, and others receiving both rice and spaghetti. He noted that the initial plan was to cater to 10,000–15,000 students, but unexpected logistics issues with the partnering company led to shortages on the second day.
Musab also disclosed several upcoming welfare projects targeted at Great Ife students, including free food initiatives, scholarship opportunities, health conferences, anti cultism campaigns, anti suicide walks, and other student-focused programmes aimed at improving general wellbeing.
“We are also working on plans to renovate campus toilets, although we are still seeking sponsors,” he added.
The intervention has drawn widespread admiration from students, university administrators and stakeholders, who have commended the Welfare Officer for raising the standard of student-oriented initiatives at OAU. Many describe the project as a new benchmark for welfare delivery in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
