TriGeneral Adebanjo Awosanya Ishola

Tribute to General Adebanjo Awosanya Ishola I still remember when I first met General Adebanjo Awosanya Ishola through his Media and Accounts Officer. At that time, Mr. Agbabiaka Lukman had directed the Accounts Officer to facilitate students for a degree programme, but the arrangement did not work out as expected. Later, one of General Awosanya's media associates from OGTV/Ogun State Radio recognized our efforts and introduced us properly to him. The General became interested in our educational mission and requested to meet us. He asked about our activities and the challenges we were facing. At that period, we had a pressing issue involving 18 students who needed sponsorship to continue their studies in public universities, including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), and the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). I also wish to appreciate Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, and Professor Abayomi Fasina, the Vice-Chancellors of these institutions, for their support toward educational development. As consultants and education advocates, we were informed that General Awosanya wanted to know what we urgently needed at that moment. We explained that we required ₦500,000 to support the students. Remarkably, within ten minutes, the money was transferred. Immediately, I informed my ICT team and coordinators. I told them, "We are not sleeping in Lagos today; we are going to Ago-Iwoye." That financial support brought hope and relief to many students and strengthened our commitment to educational service. The Education Information Society of Nigeria (EISN) has always depended on the goodwill of education-loving philanthropists and consultants who believe in our vision. Many times, we face financial difficulties, but God continues to send helpers such as General Awosanya. The ₦500,000 donation contributed significantly to the success stories of many students who eventually graduated through our scholarship support programme. While we could not complete every project we envisioned because of various challenges, that support remains one of the most memorable interventions in our history. Our philosophy has always been to build lasting relationships rather than seek immediate profit. We work patiently, sometimes investing two or three years before seeing meaningful results. We applied the same commitment when supporting educational programmes at institutions such as Adekunle Ajasin University during the administration of Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, where student participation grew significantly through collaborative efforts. We are educationalists, not opportunists. Education is a gradual process that requires patience, dedication, integrity, and vision. If you visit our facilities, you will see evidence of our commitment to educational development. We are never in a hurry because we understand that meaningful educational progress takes time. General Adebanjo Awosanya Ishola has consistently demonstrated his love for education and humanity. Whenever educational assistance is needed, he has always shown himself to be a father figure to the Education Information Society of Nigeria. On behalf of EISN, we sincerely thank him for his generosity, compassion, and unwavering support for students and educational development. May God Almighty continue to bless General Adebanjo Awosanya Ishola with good health, wisdom, prosperity, and long life. Signed: Lawal Bello Director General, Education Information Society of Nigeria (EISN) Motto: "Let the son of nobody become somebody, without knowing anybody."