Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu flags off OSOPADEC Bursary payment.
The First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu has affirmed the need for every sensible government to recognize the place of education as students remain the formidable force that will ultimately propel the economy.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony of bursary and scholarship awards by the Ondo State Oil Producing Agency and Development Commission, (OSOPADEC), the wife of the Governor, Arabinrin Akeredolu congratulated the students noting that the government recognises that they have distinguished themselves in their various fields, saying the governor understands the role education plays in lifting an individual out of poverty. “Every sensible government must recognise that education is the right of every student. It is the students that form the formidable workforce that will propel the economy. If you don’t train these students, how could that be possible? Arakunrin recognizes this as this government is about doing things differently. We need to have a paradigm shift by moving to do things from old ways to new ways that are progressive – therefore I can say that this is a starter. The rest of the bursary – Arakunrin will not hesitate to make it possible”, she further stressed.
The chairman of the board, Bar. Olugbenga Edema in his speech thanked the Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for approving the 2014/2015 bursary for the student without delay. He further noted that the board is working towards advocating more money for scholarship as a way of attaining excellence.
“The essence of this programme is to celebrate with students in tertiary institutions across the state. A total of 5227 students benefited from this bursary – Ph.D Students – 36, Masters’ Students -104, Law Students – 19, PGD Students- 16. Undergraduates in Universities -2593, Undergraduates from Polytechnic – 898, Students from Colleges of Education – 777 and students from Health Institutions – 784” he said.
He further stated “I am elated that we have flagged off this payment to students in our mandate area – in Ilaje and Ese Odo. Rather than bursary, we will advocate for more money for scholarship. We are going to jack up the money ascribed to scholarship as we want to achieve excellence as from the next season”
At the event there was presentation of the bursary and scholarship awards to beneficiaries as well as the presentation of award to the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu. Bar. Ajose Ikudehinbu, former Head of Service, Ondo State in his goodwill message urged the commission to work towards giving all Ph.D students full scholarship. He also emphasized the need to encourage the few girl-children who are determined to further their education by giving them full scholarship.
Some of the beneficiaries, Mr. Bello Kingdom and Dr. Mrs Omosuwa Olajumoke thanked the Akeredolu led government for not abandoning the project noting that it was laudable for this government to have approved the payment at a time when most of them had given up hope. They further enjoined others to take advantage of such opportunities to pursue their dream while also calling on the commission to increase the number of beneficiaries across the state.
