The Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, on Saturday, instituted a scholarship scheme for brilliant indigent students from Ogun West in various tertiary institutions across the country.
The Scheme tagged “Yayi Scholarship Scheme” was unveiled at the Yewa Pavilion in Ilaro, Ogun State.
The Board Chairman of the Scholarship Scheme, Professor Tope Popoola, while addressing newsmen said the scheme is one of the contributions of the lawmaker towards educational advancement in the senatorial district.
He noted that Senator Adeola had at different times intervened by providing desks and benches, writing materials, laptops, payment of WAEC fees for indigent students among others to aid effective teaching and learning process.
Professor Popoola explained that the Scholarship is solely dedicated to indigenes of Yewa extraction, saying such applicants must have a CGPA of 2.1 for university undergraduate and upper credit for Higher National Diploma students.
Popoola flanked by other members of the Board, including the Secretary of the Board, Mr. Dapo Oke, said the Scheme has no political coloration attached to it in any way.
He further explained that the first phase covers brilliant undergraduate students through payment of their school fees and other expenses, while the second phase is aimed at sponsoring students abroad for their postgraduate studies.
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.
“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 that is within the Senatorial district.
Oke in his remarks 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.
. TheWitness
