15th AOFFEP Awards: Falusi Rewards Students’ Excellence, Advocates For Sickle Cell Awareness

By Joseph Sunday

Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State witnessed a resounding and successful outing on Wednesday 21st January 2026 in the annual commemoration of her parents.

She traced her growth and development from Efon Alaaye to showcase the importance of good parentage and education of the Girl Child.

Professor Adeyinka Falusi, a renowned academic and humanitarian, on Wednesday honoured outstanding students of Efon Alaaye origin in partnership with Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF).

She brought awareness and education on Sickle Cell Disease inheritance, prevention through Informed decision making to the audience.

She called for urgent attention to sickle cell disease in the Country during the 15th edition of the AOFFEP programme.

The event took place at Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C) Grammar School, Efon Alaaye under the Adeyinka Ologbenla Falusi Female Empowerment Programme (AOFFEP).

A total of 18 Female Secondary School students, the very best in Science in their schools were nominated from nine public and private schools.

They received certificates, cash awards and school materials for their outstanding academic performance. The event was witnessed by over 100 Students, Teachers and Parents of award recipients.

The Education Secretary of Efon Alaaye Local Government, Barrister Femi Afolayan, praised the award recipients and their parents for prioritising education.

He cited his daughter, a former recipient of the award who later graduated as a science student from Obafemi Awolowo University, as evidence that the programme produces lasting academic impact.

According to Professor Falusi, the first Computer Based Examination (CBT) was conducted for the selected Science students. These included, Mogajiola Oreoluwa from the C.A.C Grammar School, who emerged in the 1st position, while Adebisi Surprise Dorcas from Our Saviours Standard College, and Tunji – Ojo Benita Temitope from the FGGC, both came 2nd.

The 3rd position was clinched by two girls namely Kolawole Eniola Esther from Glory Land College, and Ajibade Esther from C.A.C Grammar School.

6 other girls who scored above 40% received commendation awards. These included Ojo Semilore Christianah from Ekiti State Government College, Odeyemi Christiana from Efon High School, Ekundayo Ifeoluwa Blessing from Anglican Secondary School, Aluko Mary Korede from Ekiti State Government College, Awopetu Favour Teniola from Glory Land College and Kolawole Oluwadunsin Mary from the FGGC.

Mogajiola Damilola received the 1st Prize of N100,000, Adebisi Caleb Adekunle and Ojo Titus Olatunji who both emerged 2nd went home with a sum of N30,000 each while both Adegoke Olayinka Roseline and Kolawole Ojo Olakunle also got a sum of N20,000 each in addition to several other generous gifts.

Eight Best Male Science students were nominated from their schools received Commendation Awards. These included Oladunjoye Olayanju from Glory Land College, Olugbenga King David from Our Saviours School, Oluwasina Stephen from Efon High School, Joseph Dolapo Henry from Anglican Secondary School, Oluwatayo Raymond from Ekiti State Government College, Olatunji Silvanus from Apostle Babalola Memorial Grammar School, Ojo Oluwafemi from Saint Michael Catholic Grammar School and Adedeji Moses from Christ Apostolic Church Grammar School.

SCHAF PARTNERSHIP:

For the health awareness session, Professor Falusi emphasized the fact that Nigeria carries the highest burden of sickle cell disease globally. In order to reduce the burden in Nigeria, there is a need for youths to know their genotypes, make informed decisions to prevent genetic diseases, especially sickle cell disorder.

The lecture explained the inheritance, the problem of stigmatization, the lack of care for those affected with sickle cell disease. She stated that many families tragedies, broken marriages and early deaths result from couples ignoring genotype compatibility before marriage.

Real-life cases were cited, including that of a woman who repeatedly lost her children due to genetic incompatibility with her husband.

Students and Youths were urged to embrace the “Know Your Genotype” initiative as a simple and affordable way to prevent avoidable suffering. She stressed that understanding genetic makeup is not optional but a necessary step to protect future generations.

Falusi describing the challenges faced by warriors, caregivers and the Nation in general, urged the Federal Government to take a bold step of entrenching sickle cell education in the school curricula from primary to tertiary levels.

She emphasized the need for improved healthcare facilities, reduction of stigmatization of warriors, and better training for medical personnel to support patients living with the condition.

While presenting the Awards, Olori Roseline Aladejare representing His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare Agunsoye II, The Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, praised Falusi’s resilience, on her outstanding awareness program on sickle cell disease in Nigeria and her humanitarian services to the city of Efon Alaaye.

She urged students to stay disciplined, respect their parents, teachers, and authorities to become responsible leaders in the near future.

Falusi further commended Efon Alaaye’s natural environment and praised the traditional ruler for improving roads and infrastructure and elevating the standard of living in Efon Alaaye.

Falusi further expressed optimism about the community’s development and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting education, health awareness and community growth.

The programme once again demonstrated how local initiatives can successfully combine academic excellence, women empowerment and public health advocacy to improve lives at the grassroot level.

 
PEOPLE IN THE MIRROR FOUNDATION:

In partnership with AOFFEP on the same day, the People In The Mirror Foundation arm of Dr. Anuoluwapo Osinusi, distributed generous foodstuffs at the Ologbenla compound in Efon Alaaye. The beneficiaries included about 60 households with widows, low-income and aged individuals to cushion the effect of the current economic hardship. Falusi explained that the empowerment segment was added for the first time with a promise to continue this program in the community thus ensuring that vulnerable families in these hard times are not left behind.