By Demola Orubon
About 470 students of Epe origin in all tertiary institutions of learning in the country would benefit from the ongoing N50,000 bursery awards from the local government.
The Chairman of the council, Ms. Surah Animashaun, stated this while presenting cash of N50,000 to the first batch of 50 indigent students of the council, held at council chamber, Ita-Marun, Epe, Lagos State.
She said that “students in public and private tertiary institutions will benefit from the bursary awards, as the first batches of the beneficiaries have received their cash of N50,000, as the programme will continue to the targeting figure of 470 students within some months,” Animashaun said
Animashaun said that each student of the council’s origin is entitled to N50,000 cash from the local government, and it was aimed to assist them financially in running their academic works, noting that this would alleviate their parents’ financial burden for some times.
“Indeed, I recognise the importance of education in shaping the future of our community,” however, I also acknowledge the financial constraints many of you face in pursuing your dreams. This Bursary Award Programme is my response to those challenges. I believe that every student deserves access to quality education, regardless of their financial background.
“The local government is targeting 470 indigent students in public and private tertiary institutions across the country within the local government and its environs and to also get N50,000 each too,” Animashaun added.
Comrade Rahmon Saheed, Youth Representative, described the Chairman as “a mother and a good listener.” He commended her for this great initiative, stating, “Hon. Animashaun’s leadership has changed the narrative in education with a positive change to Epe.”
Also, Hon. Shittu Aliu (Saico), Education Secretary, applauded the Chairman’s commitment to educational development. “In fact, this bursary award programme demonstrates Hon. Animashaun’s dedication to empowering Epe’s future leaders.”
Commenting, Comrade Yusuff Kazeem, who recently emerged as the Best Teacher in the Secondary School category in Nigeria expressed gratitude to the Chairman for her support and equally advised the beneficiaries to continue making the Chairman and Epe proud with judicious use of the bursary award.
“Richard Oladeinde, Ayomide Adeshina, and Badmus Gbemisola of the Lagos State University, Ojo, described the Chairman, Ms. Animashaun as compassionate, tender-hearted, generous, and student-loving mother, saying the money received was an indication of her passion for individual prosperity for the citizens of the local government council,” the statement read.
Other beneficiaries thanked the Chairman for the generous gesture, promising to utilize the funds judiciously. “We are grateful for this support and pledge to make the most of this opportunity”, one of the recipients, Adebayo Folashade said.
The dignitaries present at the occasion were Hon. Rahmon Saheed, Secretary to the Local Government; Hon. Kareem Pitan, Leader of the House; Hon. Odupe Fuad Tunde, Supervisor for Environment; Hon. Oniga Kazeem, Deputy Leader; Hon. Bolanle Lawal, Supervisor for WAPA; Hon. Oluwo Rasheed, Majority Leader; Hon. Ekemode Ayodele, Supervisor for Budget; Hon. Agbomeji Hameed, Ward A2, Councilor.
And, Hon. Wale Ikujenya, Ward A4, Councillor; Hon. Deji, Ward A1, Councilor; Hon. Shittu Aliu Idowu, Education Secretary; Comrade Yusuff Kazeem, Youth Ambassador, Comrade Alonge Elizabeth, NYCN deputy coordinator and Alhaja Aminat Shabi, Epe farmer president.