Over the weekend, the Sergius Oseasochie Ogun Foundation (SOOF) rewarded final year secondary school students from the Esan South-East and Esan North-East Federal constituency in Edo State with free NECO/SSCE enrolment fees worth N9 million and scholarships for undergraduates. The event took place at the Community Primary School in Ubiaja, where 600 students were given N15,000 each to enroll for the 2017 NECO/SSCE, and eight undergraduates received scholarship grants of N100,000 each. The overall best six candidates in the 2016/2017 SOOF Free NECO/SSCE enrolment Mock exam were granted scholarships to any university of their choice in Nigeria.

At the opening ceremony in Ubiaja, the President of the Foundation and Member representing Esan North East/South East Federal Constituency, Hon. Sergius Ogun, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the cash grants, emphasizing that education is the greatest investment needed to revamp the country's economy. He also encouraged students to stay focused on their academic pursuits, which he described as the greatest gift to excel in life. Ogun expressed concern over the "frightening slide in students' academic performance," blaming it on the government's failure to provide meaningful manpower and infrastructure for effective learning. He called on all levels of government to increase budgets for education, recruit more teachers, and provide adequate and quality infrastructure to address the challenge at hand. He also charged parents and teachers to encourage their wards to imbibe the culture of reading. The overall best six final year secondary school students that were granted scholarships by the foundation are: Omonjahio Silas from Agadaga Secondary School in Ewohimi, Ogbaisi Priscilla from Okhuesan Secondary School in Okhuesan, and Aiguehiven Favour from Edeikholor Grammar School in Ubiaja, all from Esan South East. Esan North East was also represented with Iguanre Daniel from Obeidu Grammar School in Uromi, Okholo Divine from Federal Science and Technical College Uromi, and Ibharale Felicity from Holy Trinity School Uromi. Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including HRM Anslem Edenojie II, JP, MFR, the Enijie of Esan Land, HRH Curtis Iredia, the Onojie of Uromi, HRH Stephen Ukato, the Onojie of Ubiaja, HRH S. Ikhumhen, the Onojie of Ugboha, HRH Solomon Ojeaga, the Onojie of Ujiogba, HRH Ehizojie, the Onojie of Ohordua, and others. Other dignitaries present at the event include Sen. Odion Ugbesia, Hon. John Yakubu, Prince Solomon Aguele, Hon. Ezehi MD Igbas, Elder Johnny Abhulimhen, Hon. Prince Amen Iseghohi, and Sir Fred Oreke JP.