The Federation of Ikun-Ekiti Descendants Union Overseas (FIDUO) has visited Bowie State University, State of Maryland, on a partnership mission to advance the educational goals of youths in their community.

During a courtesy visit to the administrators of the university, a historically Black College in the United States, the outgoing President of FIDUO, Dr Gabriel Bomidesaid the community association based in the US was establishing a strategic partnership with the academic institution, especially in the area of scholarship.

“The overarching goal is for both our organisations to establish mutually beneficial partnership that benefits the educational goals of youths in the Ikun-Ekiti community.

“This is with special focus on those interested in studying abroad and in sports development,” he said.

According to him, Ikun-Ekiti community is very passionate about developing students who passed out from the community’s only high school.

“Today, we are looking for ways to make sure that these students get the best, not just going to schools, not just going to universities but going to universities of quality.

“We want them to go to universities that can empower them skilfully, that can make them useful to themselves, the community and to the whole world.

“And we believe Bowie University will open that channel for us,” he said.

Bomide further said: “One of our major ideas to meet you is to make sure we are able to relate and start a relationship that will stand the test of time.

“That relationship will be of mutual benefits to both Bowie University and Ikun-Ekiti. Our children and our people are ready to give the necessary support that is needed.”

Responding, the President of the university, Prof. Aminta Breaux lauded the partnership that existed between both parties.

She explained that the institution was daily improving on its quality to maintain its high standard.

“We have embarked upon programmes that can cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is an exciting new area where we hope to show our students the skills to not only go to businesses that are starting up but to create new businesses for themselves and to have the skills that they need to support communities all around the world,” she said.

Breaux, who is first female President of the institution for over 150 years, said the university was among the top schools on the 2017 Best Colleges ranking in the US.

She added that the university was recently ranked among America’s top-five universities for graduating African-American students for bachelor’s degrees in biology and computer science fields.

“We remain committed to providing access to quality education experience for our students; the university most recently has been recognized for its excellence,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation was led by Oba David Olatunde, the Onikun of Ikun-Ekiti and his wife, Olori Omotayo Olatunde. (NAN)