Kunle Adelabu
-Gives out 35 JAMB forms, promises cash reward to best student
The Councillorship aspirant for Ward E, Ikorodu Local Government Area, Mr Abiodun Balogun (Evolution), has said that his passion to serve and impact on the society and people, are the reasons for venturing into politics.
Balogun, who is a young entrepreneur, disclosed this on Thursday, while presenting free JAMB forms for the 2024 examination into tertiary institutions, to 35 young indigent students.
The aspirant, who said that he would put in place a mechanism to monitor the students’ performance, also pledged to give cash reward to the student with the best result among the beneficiaries.
At the presentation ceremony, which took place at the NERU Campaign Office, Ikorodu Club, Aga, Ikorodu, were party leaders like Alhaji Badru Enifeni, Secretary, APC Apex leadership; Alhaji Sulaimon Ola4, APC chieftain; Alhaji Waheed Amimashaun, Chairman, APC Ikorodu LG represented by Hon. Shakiru Oluwo; Comrade Kehinde Okeowo, APC chieftain; Alhaji Abiodun Adebayo, Chairman, APC Ward E; Alhaja Ojikutu, Women leader, Ward ; Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi, an educationist and APC chieftain, Alhaja Owolabi and Alhaja Khaothar Aleja among others.
Stating that he does not crave for political office for self-aggrandizement, Balogun said that his objective in politics is to make the society a better place by serving people and making their preference his major concern.
“The last three weeks have been a period of personal reappraisal for me. While we planned this event, I have repeatedly asked myself two questions: Why am I doing this? and, Is this about politics or there are other motivations for doing this? These questions forced me back to the core of my being. They reminded me of my biggest aspiration – 😕 MY DESIRE TO TOUCH LIVES”, he said.
“My sojourn into politics was inspired by the desire to touch lives on a large scale. I do not desire political office for power or wealth, my interest is to make society a better place for the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the governed and their representatives. Politics and by extension, governance, is a channel to serve the people on a large scale, and I am here to serve”, he added.
While charging the 35 beneficiaries of his free JAMB forms, to take their examinations and the opportunity seriously because their future is dependent on it, the Councillorship aspirant announced a cash donation for anyone among them that scored the highest result, to motivate them.
He said that the educational support is the first among many other initiatives that he said he would embark on as part of his contributions to educational development.
“Dear beneficiaries, I encourage you to take this opportunity with all seriousness, because none of you will be allowed to benefit from the next edition. Though, the form is given to you freely, it comes at a cost, go home and prepare for success find a consistent way to study; consistency is key to effective studying”, Mr Balogun said.
“Read like your life depends on it for indeed, your future depends on it. Let mw, therefore, announce that the student with the highest score among you will get 10,000 naira reward for his or her outstanding performance. We won’t stop with just distributing the forms, we will monitor results of everyone so that we can also lobby the right people, places and powers to ensure that students with high scores get admitted into their choice institutions.
“Let me end by announcing that this will be the first in series of seven free JAMB _UTME interventions. My political ambition or not, this initiative will continue as my contribution to the development of education and personal investment in young minds within the ward for another six years”, he said.
APC chieftain, Alhaji Badru Enifeni, thanked the donor for showing concern for the future of the society by offering them educational support which he said is very important to their development.
He charged the beneficiaries to take good advantage of the opportunity that they are being offered by ensuring that they acquire tertiary education and be somebody in life.
“I congratulate you all for being among the beneficiaries of our son’s generosity. This is indeed a commendable initiative coming from someone that is not just educated, but knows about the importance of education and desire to also make you educated. We thank him greatly”, the APC chieftain said.
“This is a good way of supporting our leaders of tomorrow, and it is the best legacy that anyone can give and I hope that you will cherish it and be serious with it.
“After your primary and secondary education, you are going into the university to get equipped for any future challenge, and through education, you can develop the capacity to have answers to the future challenges”, Alhaji Enifeni added.
Alhaji Ola4 Sulaimon also commended the donor for gathering Ikorodu youths together to give them educational support, while also congratulating the beneficiaries.
The political chieftain enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity presented to them, and ensure that they score good grades that would get them admission into higher institutions.
Speaking earlier, Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi, former Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, who was the Best Principal in Nigeria till her retirement about three years ago, engaged the beneficiaries of Abbey Balogun free JAMB forms, in a career talk.
She was represented at the event by Mrs Adegoke Oladunni, a guidance expert who charged the students to begin to development clear thought-out plans for their development and future.
The speaker enjoined them to be aware of themselves and their capacities to excel in a particular field before filling their JAMB forms, adding that their chosen courses must be one that they have interest in and can be motivated by themselves.
She also charged them to have mentors from those that have excelled in their respective courses/fileds that they are aspiring to explore.
The speaker also guided the beneficiaries on how they can prevent their parents, peer group and themselves from becoming impediments to their own career and future by seeking counselling among other assistance.
Some of the beneficiaries that spoke with THE IMPACT thanked Mr Abbey Balogun for the gesture.
