The High Chiefs Bode and Betty Osedimilehin (HCBBO) Foundation has announced plans for another charity and empowerment programme in September 2026 as it expands its support for disadvantaged students, pupils and women across Ondo State.
This year’s programme will also include Akure Local Government Area alongside Owo and Ose local government areas. About 400 beneficiaries will receive scholarships and empowerment support across the 3 local government areas schools, making it the foundation’s largest intervention since its launch, as the organisers also hope to expand the initiative across Ondo State in future.
The foundation began its scholarship programme in April 2024 and supported 76 beneficiaries. The beneficiaries comprised 60 students from 15 public secondary schools, eight students from Imade College, and eight pupils from public primary schools, who received tuition support, school uniforms, textbooks and other learning materials.
The programme grew in 2025, reaching 126 beneficiaries. In Owo Local Government Area, the foundation provided support to students from 14 public secondary schools, Imade College, two public primary schools, and the Government Technical College, while one person received a special award.
The foundation also awarded scholarships to 20 students from five public secondary schools in Ose Local Government Area, supported seven medical students from Owo and Ose, and empowered 10 artisans.
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This year’s scholarship will cover public secondary schools across the three participating local government areas, and the benefiting schools and students will be announced shortly.
The HCBBO Foundation has also encouraged medical students in government-owned universities across the 3 LGAs to visit its website at www.thehcbbofoundation.org and Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/hcbbo.foundation/ for the bursary awards application.
The foundation was established by High Chief Dr Olabode Samson Osedimilehin, the Basegun of Owo Kingdom, and High Chief (Dr)Mrs Oluwatoyin Elizabeth Osedimilehin, the Yeye Basegun of Owo Kingdom, to remove financial barriers to education as well as provide economic support for women and artisans.
Among those whose lives have been transformed is Esther Adekola, who became an orphan at a young age and missed her promotion examination because her grandmother could not afford to pay her school fees, and supported herself by hawking puff-puff before receiving assistance from the foundation.
Beyond this year’s programme, the HCBBO Foundation plans to extend its scholarship and bursary scheme across Ondo State, while introducing mentorship programmes, digital learning centres and community libraries to improve educational opportunities for young people.
The September outreach is expected to bring together community leaders, philanthropists, corporate organisations, education stakeholders and development partners as the foundation continues to invest in education, entrepreneurship and community development.
The HCBBO Foundation organisers said their goal is to raise a generation of educated, skilled and self-reliant young Nigerians who will contribute to the growth of Ondo State and the country.
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