MEGA SCHOLARSHIP IN ITIRE-IKATE, SURULERE AS WARD COUNCILLOR, HON. OLAOLUWA AGBEYANGI SETS 500 INDIGENT STUDENTS ON THEIR ROAD TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS
By Yomi Oyelami, Trek Africa Newspaper
Lack of money would not be an excuse to academic success for at least 500 indigent students in Karounwi-Ogunsami ward, Itire-Ikate LCDA, the entire Surulere councils, and other parts of Lagos state if they will only take advantage of the mega-scholarship that the Councillor of Karounwi-Ogunsami ward, Hon. Olaoluwa Andrew Agbeyangi is offering them, Trek Africa Newspaper can report.
This is because the Ward Councillor, Hon. Agbeyangi has secured a scholarship initiative supported by Grace Polytechnic, Hope of Africa Foundation, and Education District 4 Lagos which will enable them to undertake the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes of any course of their choice at Grace Polytechnic Lagos.
This grand initiative is borne out of the bad experience of many young Nigerians who are on the right track in their academics but due to the waiting period between secondary school and higher institution, some of them end up toeing the wrong lane.
The Honorable Councillor representing Karounwi-Ogunsami ward, Hon. Agbeyangi Olaoluwa Andrew identified this huge gap and chose to close that gap on the trajectory of 500 students drawn from many parts of Surulere including Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate LCDA, and Coker-Aguda LCDA. He noted that the initiative is also expanded to cover students outside Surulere so that others parts of Lagos can benefit. In fact, older youths who have missed their shot at education previously can also quickly take advantage of this opportunity as the net is still wide enough to cover many.
Trek Africa Newspaper can report that this grand impact by Hon. Olaoluwa Agbeyangi made several leaders across politics, nonprofit, and education to troop out in their number at the Sanya Grammar School hall, Itire-Ikate LCDA on Thursday 25th April 2024.
The political fold in Itire-Ikate LCDA and Surulere at large was fully in support of their own. The Member of House of representatives, Surulere constituency 2, Hon. Lanre Okunola was represented by Hon. Obileye Abayomi; member of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara as represented and the Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Ahmed Olanrewaju Apatira (as represented); the Supervisor, Budget and Statistics in Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Oyewale Oyefeso; and the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Itire-Ikate LCDA, Alhaji Kushimo, among others.
All the 7 ward councillors showed their big support in attendance. They include the leader of the 5th Legislative House in Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Hammed Oladipupo Idris Olanrewaju; the Majority Leader of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Isiaka Kazeem; the Chief Whip of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Babatunde Fancy; the Deputy Chief Whip of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. Olori Adewale; Hon. Santos-Martins Adesola, and Hon. Adetayo Adebisi.
From the education sector, the Rector of Grace Polytechnic, Elder Dr. Adeosun; the Chairman of ANCOPSS in Surulere, Mrs. Oloje; the TGPS of Lagos ED district 4, Mr. Olusegun Osinaike as represented by the Director of School Administration, Mrs. Abiodun Olayinka; and the Head of unit, Guidance and Counseling at the education district, Mrs. Salako were in attendance.
Other dignitaries present at the event include the wife of the Ward Councillor, Mrs. Omowunmi Agbeyangi and the Board member of Hope of Africa, Comrade Victor Ogunniyi.
In his brief address at the scholarship presentation ceremony, Hon. Olaoluwa Andrew Agbeyangi noted: ‘This scholarship is borne out of the idea to reduce vices such as drug abuse, cultism, teenage pregnancy, hooliganism and so on that is prevalent in Surulere particularly Itire-Ikate LCDA and its environs. So we have a plan for our youths that immediately they are done with their secondary school, they move straight to higher institution of repute. That is why we are partnering with Grace Polytechnic.’
He told the beneficiaries of the scheme, ‘Ensure you go to school tomorrow to complete your registration so that you can resume immediately as soon as you finish secondary school. Immediately you are done with secondary school, you will move straight to higher institution – Grace Polytechnic so there won’t be chance for vices. You are the hope of Africa, so maximize this opportunity.’
‘We advocate against drug abuse, cultism and teenage pregnancy. Love yourself, say no to drugs. You are too young to be pregnant, learn how to say no. You can be a cultist by association not just initiation, so be careful’, Agbeyangi advised.
The TG/PS of Education District 4, Mr. Olusegun Osinaike ably represented by the Director of Administration, Mrs. Abiodun reiterated ‘Education is the key that open the door to opportunities. It is believed that this scholarship will serve as incentive for students to work harder in school. I say a big thank you to Hon. Agbeyangi, Hope of Africa, and Grace Polytechnic for this laudable programme in education.’
Trek Africa Newspaper gathered that there is a concrete agreement between Grace Polytechnic and the Honorable Councillor of Karounwi-Ogunsami ward, Hon. Olaoluwa Andrew Agbeyangi for the smooth sail of the academic life of the 500 students throughout their time on campus. This note was reassuring for parents who were at the event.
On his part, the Rector of Grace Polytechnic Lagos, Elder Dr. Adeosun affirmed: ‘All that is needed is for the beneficiaries to be serious with their studies and come out in flying colors. We appeal to you, would-be beneficiaries and parents to educate their children from time to time so that efforts would not be in vain. Don’t join bad gang’.
A beneficiary expressed delight at the initiative noting ‘A big thank you to Hon. Agbeyangi and Grace Polytechnic. We pray that your intervention on us will not be in vain.’
As part of the side attraction at the event was 16-year old Aribidesi Lateef who excited the audience with an ewi (traditional poetry) rendition. Another student, Iniabasi presented a poem on handwork while 18-year old Franklin Obadiegwu did the characteristic Michael Jackson dance.
congratulations to all the beneficiaries and a big congratulations to the honourable himself. This is a step in the right direction. May the Lord sustain you and your household for this good and excellent service to humanity you have stepped in.