Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has said that his administration recognizes education as the cornerstone of development, stressing that it is the key to unlocking the potential of young people.
The Governor said this during the official flag-off ceremony for the award of bursary, scholarship, and financial assistance to 11, 200 students of Ondo State origin in tertiary institutions across the country on Monday.
The five categories of the scholarship and bursary payment will gulp a sum of N335million.
The Governor had increased the annual bursary of the students from N10,000 to 20,000 while students with disabilities are to get N75,000 each and scholarhip beneficiaries to get 100,000 each.
Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that his administration is deeply committed to supporting students who face financial challenges in their pursuit of higher education.
“Many of our students face significant financial challenges in pursuing their academic dreams. That is why we have these bursary and scholarship awards, as well as financial assistance, to provide support, alleviate financial burdens, and enable our students to focus on their studies.
“These awards are a testament to our commitment to investing in the future of our State and our country. We must ensure that our students have access to quality education and the necessary support to excel in their academic pursuits,” he added.
The Governor also outlined several key initiatives undertaken by his administration to improve the quality of education in the state. These include regular payments of WASSCE registration fees for students in public secondary schools, massive reconstruction and renovation of public schools, recruitment and training of teachers, digitalization of the education sector, and consistent financial support to tertiary institutions.
Addressing the student beneficiaries, the Governor encouraged them to see the awards as a vote of confidence in their abilities, urging them to make good use of the money.
In his opening remarks, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ademola Kolawole, noted that investing in education will bring significant benefits to both the Ondo State government and the nation at large. Kolawole also highlighted that Governor Aiyedatiwa's commitment to students welfare is unparalleled.
The Commissioner for Education, Olaolu Akindolire, remarked that it is the government's responsibility to support students, as their achievements both within and outside the country have been a source of pride for Ondo State.
He expressed his gratitude to the governor for his dedication and unwavering commitment to the welfare of students, stating that education is crucial for building a brighter future for the state.
The President of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), Oyelade Ahmed, thanked the governor for prioritizing education in Ondo State. He noted that this initiative would alleviate the financial burdens on countless families and affirmed that the association has full confidence in the governor's leadership.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
September 2, 2024.
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