WYBF Awards Scholarship to 52 Nigerian Indigent Students … unveils Adedeji Adegbesan as the new BoT chairman

 

Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation (WYBF) had its 18th annual lecture and the 4th memorial series at the upgraded main auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, themed, “Leadership Reimagined: Framework for Empowering the Next Generation of Nation Builders”.

The well-attended lecture featured high-flying guests and dignitaries, showcased the dynamism of sustaining a legacy and promoting value-driven conversations around leadership, ethics, and national development.

The WYBF 2025 Memorial Lecture and Scholarship Award ceremony honours the Foundation’s pioneer General Secretary and a BoT member of WYBF, Prof (Mrs) Kehinde Kemabonta, with the Award of Excellent Service for her dedication and selfless service to humanity and the Nigerian society. Also, the foundation unveils Rev Adedimeji Adegbesan, a seasoned leader, administrator, pastor, and financial professional whose life and work exemplify integrity, fervent service, and strategic foresight, as its new Chairman, BoT for the foundation.

As part of activities during its 2025 WYBF Memorial Lecture and resolute commitment to advancing education and alleviating financial hardship for young Nigerians, the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation (WYBF) awarded scholarships to 52 indigent students from various tertiary institutions across the country.

According to Prof. Bayo Oladipo, Chairman of the Scholarship Award Committee, “Following a strict eligibility screening and rigorous selection process, 2,022 applicants were shortlisted, from which 52 exceptional students were ultimately selected – 50 under the Legacy category and two in the Nurturing Arts category.”

WYBF was founded in 2007 by the late former General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev Dr Wilson Badejo and his late wife, Reverend (Mrs.) Yinka Badejo. Since 2008, the foundation has awarded over 500 scholarships to academically gifted but underprivileged students in the country.

The guest speaker at the 2025 memorial lecture is Mr Fela Durotoye, a renowned leadership coach, former presidential candidate, and Convener for National Values and Social Justice. Also, the CEO of  Gemstone Group, in his insightful and impactful lecture on redefining leadership in Nigeria, distinguished between leaders and rulers, criticising many political office holders for prioritising self-interest over national service and went on to condemn the common political phrase, “ruling party”. He described it as a relic of authoritarianism that undermines democratic values and principles.

“When we refer to parties as ‘ruling,’ we reinforce a hierarchy that weakens our democracy and marginalises other essential voices in governance,” he said.

Adding that, “True leadership is rooted in vision, integrity, and a commitment to empower others, and many of our societal challenges today emanate from the absence of these values in governance”.

Mr Durotoye called on Nigerians to move from being a country defined by borders and a government to becoming a nation built on the pursuit of political power for the greater good, and further stressed the need to raise a new generation of leaders built on integrity, shared values, trust, mentorship, and a united purpose.

“Not every country is a nation. Nationhood is built on unity, purpose, and a common identity. Without these being put in place, we are yet to be a nation, but coexisting and not genuinely building a future”, he said.

Highlighting the importance of multidimensional interventions, especially in leadership development, education, and mentorship. Durotoye mentioned his leadership initiative in Oyo State has impacted over 800 students, equipping them with the tools to become responsible nation builders.

Also speaking during the lecture was the first Nigerian female bank CEO and the former Managing Director and CEO of Oceanic Bank. The Chancellor of the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Dr Cecilia Ibru, who was the special guest of honour at the lecture, called for inclusive accountability and mentorship for both public and private sectors.

She decried the state of tribalism, greed, and corruption that have eroded public trust and called for a return to moral values.

Dr Ibru urged Nigerians to reclaim the nation’s moral compass and invest in land, nurture their children, and help them build independent wealth.

In his remarks, the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria and the father of the day, Rev Sam Aboyeji, admonished Nigerian religious leaders to, as a matter of urgency, develop the habit of preparing and equipping the younger generation for leadership positions. “We need to start cultivating people into gaining leadership, gaining service, and gaining the nation as soon as possible”, he said.

“Leadership in the Bible is about selflessness, and Jesus typified it. He said: Whoever among you wants to be the master, let him be your servant. So, there’s no difference, the Bible says, judgment will begin from the house of the Lord,” he added.

Aboyeji said many Nigerians don’t have the requirements of a value system to lead and asked rhetorically, what would make a man take what he and his generation cannot finish spending, or what would make a man take wealth from people and dump it somewhere?

“This year’s cohort represents some of the brightest minds from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, selected to join the distinguished W.Y. Scholars Class of 2025,” Aboyeji stated.

The 4th memorial lecture of the 18th annual lecture made a strong call for purposeful and integrity-driven leadership, mentorship, and active involvement of individuals in national transformation.

Among the dignitaries at the 2025 WYBF Memorial Lecture are the wife of the general overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev (Mrs.) Bisi Aboyeji, the wife of the former President of Nigeria and Mother of the Day, Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo, the former media aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Femi Adesina, and Arc. Olumuyiwa Ige, former WYBF BoT Chairman and Chairman of Havilah Group, Dr Osaren Emokpae, and others, including BoT members of WYBF, scholars from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU) and Macpherson University (MU). Also, students from higher institutions across Nigeria.