Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
The Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Alhaji Fatai Kolawole Olayiwola, has disclosed that 250 students from Ikorodu, will benefit from the socio -cultural and developmental group’s scholarship scheme this year.
Alhaji Fatai revealed at the inauguration of a new scholarship committee chaired by the Dean Students’ Affairs, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan.
Other members of the committee inaugurated last weekend, were Prince Rasheed Elemuren, IKODASS General Secretary, Mr Agbaje Quadri, IKODASS representative, Mrs Onafowokan IKODASS representative, Dr Taofeek Olawale, Mrs Obafemi Mutiat Abiodun, Art and Craft teacher, and Mr Samson Bisiriyu.
Each of the nine-member committee, will serve for a period of five years.
He also disclosed that IKODASS will give out free JAMB and GCE forms to indigent students.
Alhaji Kolawole, while inaugurating the committee, said that the present administration is set out to improve on the number of beneficiaries of its annual scholarship, and urged members of the newly inaugurated committee to be ready to give their best.
“Last year, we had 99 beneficiaries of the scholarship, and this year, by His grace, we are having 250 beneficiaries. That is a great leap forward that deserves commendations.
“Out of this 250, Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, former Governor of Zamfara State, is sponsoring 100 students for a period of five years, at N10 Million per year. There are also Senator Tokunbo Abriu, Hon.Babajimi Benson, Delightsome, Mr Longe, and others. There are also registered clubs from Ikorodu -Oga, which are also subscribing within their capacities.
“We are also expecting sponsorship from Alhaji and Alhaja Ajenifuja. Also from Hon. Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government. It may be more than 250 beneficiaries at the end of the day, but I have pegged it at that”.
The IKODASS Chairman also charged the committee to ensure that their work is done in good time, and beneficiaries are not only known right from the commencement of the Ikorodu -Oga Day Celebration, but also participate fully in the entire activities.
He urged them to also mentor and follow -up with the beneficiaries in their various schools.
“Mentoring of these beneficiaries is very important. We thank God that we now have a bus which is going to be used for periodic checks on the beneficiaries. You don’t need to tell them that you are coming to see them. I will also like to have your report quarterly on this. I will also implore you to create a platform to include these beneficiaries since some of them will still be benefiting next year”.
Alhaji Fatai also informed that IKODASS will be giving out 50 JAMB forms and also GCE forms later in the year.
“All these are to assist indigent students in Ikorodu, and I believe we are on course. There is no amount of money too big to spend on education which will better our environment. Education is one of my projects, and I want to continue to ensure that we are not lacking when it comes to education”, he said.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the committee, Dr Fatai Abatan thanked IKODASS for the opportunity extended to them to serve, and commended the present IKODASS administration for its impacts within a short period.
He assured that the committee is committed to discharging its responsibilities accordingly, and also pledged that merit, integrity and due process will guide their conduct.
Dr Abatan also pledged that the committee will ensure that money meant for the educational support is judiciously spent for what it meant for.
While also assuring that adequate mentorship programmes will be put in place, he also noted that the committee will follow -up on beneficiaries and give timely reports to IKODASS.
He,,however, charged parents on the need to monitor their children who are benefitting from the IKODASS scholarship, and ensure that they put the money into good use.
“To the parents, please, ensure that when your child benefits from this scholarship and mentorship, that they put what they have benefitted into good use. The money that will be given is not for food, rather, it is to support their education, make them focus and develop themselves.
“We also have an internal mechanism in place to ensure that every beneficiary is properly mentored and monitor to see that the money is used for the purpose that it is being given for. This is expected to transform into large numbers of people heading industries and bringing about greater Ikorodu”.
He commended Sen. Yari, Sen. Abiru, Rep. Benson and other donors for the support for IKODASS and Ikorodu. He also appealed to the government and stakeholders to also be part of the IKODASS Scholarship initiative, and support it to make it bigger, and use it as a platform to raise good leaders.
