Olamilekan Adeola, the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, inaugurated a Scholarship Award program for 1,000 underprivileged students from the Senatorial district on Sunday.
The beneficiaries of this initiative will be students enrolled in tertiary institutions across the country who hail from Ogun West Senatorial District.
Professor Tope Popoola, the Chairman of the Yayi Scholarship Scheme, spoke during the inauguration in the Ilaro area of the state, explaining that the scholarship’s primary goal is to enable underprivileged students to access quality education.
He noted that the scholarship program complements various educational interventions by Adeola, such as providing 1,000 students and teachers with laptop computers, facilitating ICT training for 1,000 students and teachers, distributing school bags and textbooks, and covering WAEC fees for disadvantaged students.
Popoola further revealed that the first phase of the scholarship program is designed to support outstanding undergraduate students by covering their school fees and related expenses, while the second phase aims to sponsor students for postgraduate studies abroad.
Popular said, “In fulfilment of his campaign promise, Senator Olamilekan Adeola proposed to support indigent students of the district in the pursuit of their educational endeavours by awarding scholarships to deserving students.
“During the campaign, he (Adeola) promised to expand and formalise Yayi scholarship and bursary scheme to touch not less than 1,000 students in four years.
“The scholarship scheme will initially serve as a substantial support measure for indigent but brilliant students from the district. The first phase is intended to benefit registered students in NUC/NBTE /NCCE-approved public tertiary institutions.
“The subsequent phase could be extended to full studies (PG /specialisation) for training programmes overseas for students considered worthy of such sponsorship.
“The scheme shall cover ALL approved programmes accredited by the supervisory agencies. Therefore, students undertaking professional, non-professional, single honours courses could benefit from the scheme.
“Qualified candidates must be children or wards of people from Ogun West, they must be in public tertiary institutions, they must show evidence of residency of a Local government within the Senatorial district”.
In his remarks, the board secretary, Dapo Oke assured that the scheme would be transparent, while special consideration would be given to students with disabilities.
He said the scholarship is to encourage the use of education as a tool for development in the district
