Yayi awards scholarships, bursaries to 5,312 Ogun indigent students

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has awarded scholarships and bursaries to 5,312 indigent students across the state as part of his sustained commitment to education and human capital development.

Senator Adeola announced the awards during the third edition of the Yayi Scholarship/Bursary Programme held in Abeokuta on Sunday.

A total of 17,000 students applied for this year’s programme, out of which 1,735 students received full scholarships, while 3,577 others were awarded bursaries.

Now in its third year, the initiative targets students in tertiary institutions across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas. It is designed to reduce the financial burden on families, expand access to higher education and support academically promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the H3 Hotel and Event Centre, Abeokuta, Senator Adeola said the programme was aimed at ensuring that no Ogun indigene abandons education because of financial hardship.

He described education as the most effective tool for sustainable development, noting that the scholarship scheme reflects his long-standing commitment to empowering young people and investing in the future of Ogun State.

“I am facilitating this scheme with the National Productivity Centre in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the education sector. The programme is designed to provide relief to students in their pursuit of knowledge and complement support available through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). I am doing this to give you a future without any condition attached,” he said.

In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, described the scholarship and bursary programme as a timely intervention that would positively impact the future of the state.

She said she was particularly proud that Senator Adeola was continuing a legacy of educational support championed by her late father during his tenure as chairman of the state scholarship board.

“I still meet people who received scholarships over 50 years ago to attend university. I recently met a doctor who told me it was because of my father that he was able to study medicine. These are legacies that money cannot buy,” she said.

She congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make prudent use of the financial support to excel in their academic pursuits.

Leaders of the APC who delivered goodwill messages commended Senator Adeola for the initiative, describing it as a practical investment in the future of Ogun youths and a significant relief for struggling families.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Imoleayo Fadunsin, a student of Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, expressed appreciation to Senator Adeola for the intervention.

“I am deeply grateful for this support. It will help me pay for meals and purchase academic materials while easing the burden on my parents, who have struggled to fund my education,” Fadunsin said.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Ogun APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi; former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Tunji Egbetokun; former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Ishola; APC deputy governorship candidate, Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun; wife of the APC governorship candidate, Chief Mrs. Temitope Adeola; the Osi of Egbaland, Chief Bode Mustapha; members of the Ogun State Executive Council; leaders from the three senatorial districts; and former members of the National and State Assemblies.

Over the years, Senator Adeola has facilitated several education-focused projects across Ogun State, including the construction of 87 blocks of 12-classroom buildings equipped with furniture, staff rooms, libraries and solar power across the five local government areas of Ogun West; the establishment of 18 fully equipped ICT centres; the provision of furniture to 35 primary and secondary schools; and the sponsorship of 10,000 UTME (JAMB) registration forms for students.

This version removes repetition, improves flow, corrects minor grammatical issues, and reads like a professional newspaper or campaign press release while preserving the original message.