as 6,239 benefit from OSOPADEC awards

No fewer than 6, 239 students from coastal communities of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government areas benefitted from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), scholarship and bursary awards in the state.

This is just as the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has approved N200 million bursary for students across the state.

Governor Akeredolu while flagging off the 2022/2023 scholarship/bursary awards said it is aimed at motivating students from Ilaje and Ese-Odo areas.

Akeredolu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, described education as an eye opener to the world.

She enjoined students to shun social vices on campus and be what their parents want them to become.

The Commissioner for Education, Pastor Femi Agagu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Scholarship Board, Olabanji Ogundele appreciated the Governor for his concern for youths in the state.

Agagu who disclosed that N200 million have been approved for bursary for students said it is a testament to Akeredolu’s passion for the education sector.

Earlier, the OSOPADEC chairman, Sam Erejuwa said the scholarship/bursary is one of the core mandates of the commission.

He disclosed that over 11, 577 students applied for the scholarship and bursary including 70 PhD students, 235 Masters and several undergraduate students.

He said the commission disqualified about 5,000 students, while 6,239 students qualified for the scholarship and bursary awards.

He said with the approval of the governor, the commission was able to increase the money compared to what was disbursed last year.

Erejuwa said bursary for PhD students was increased from N150,000 to N200,000, Masters from N120, 000 to N150,000, Law graduates from N120,000 to N150,000, Post graduate students from N80,000 to N100,000, while undergraduates bursary was increased from N40,000 to N50, 000.

The OSOPADEC boss commended the students for not staging any protest regarding the disbursement of the scholarship and bursary awards.

He disclosed that the commission has also rewarded First Class graduates from Ese-Odo, while some have been employed into the commission.

While commending the students for their roles in the communities, Erejuwa noted that education is the bridge between the poor and the rich.

In her goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr Omowunmi Ilawole said the scholarship and bursary awards keep getting better.

She urged the students to be proud of the State’s anthem and always recite it.

Earlier, the commission organised a leader summit for the students from the area with the theme: “Youths In The Development of OSOPADEC Mandate Areas.”

One of the guest lecturers, Prof. Bolanle Ogungbamila, Dept of Pure and Applied Psychology, AAUA, gave an insight on how to develop the riverine areas.

The don said in order to develop the areas, youths must have positive mindsets by desisting from promoting news that brings disrepute to the community.

He urged youths to focus on economy, technology, ICT, renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, education and human, culture and history, social health and wellness, environment.

Ogungbamila also advised the government to provide necessary agricultural inputs, financial, technical support and as well collaborate with development partners in order to develop the riverine areas.

Also speaking, Prof Tomola Marshal Obamuyi in his lecture title: “Unlocking the potential of youths through High-Impact entrepreneurship for sustainable good governance”, said without youths unlocking their potential, they may not have the chance of making headway in the society.

He said they must become high-impact entrepreneurs which is about creating ventures to succeed both in the labour market and the society at large.

He urged youths to identify and harness their talents, recognize their unique skills and engage in networking to gain valuable insights in business opportunities.

On her part, the Deputy State Commander of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs Yetunde Jeyifous who enlightened the students on social vices and dangers of drug abuse, said drug abuse and trafficking pose great problems and damage to its users, government and the nation.

She said drug abuse has ruined the lives of several people and made ambitions unattainable and disintegrated.

The presidents of Ese-Odo students and Ilaje students, Ajayi Idowu and Kehinde Oluwatomisin who responded on behalf of beneficiaries appreciated the Governor for his kind gestures and also enjoined stakeholders to invest in the coast communities in order to develop them.