Yekini Idaiye, a lawmaker representing Akoko Edo Constituency I in the Edo State House of Assembly, has paid for the registration of 300 students for the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

The students are from Idaiye’s constituency.

The beneficiaries include students from Uma Secondary School, Imoga; Ekpese College, Lampese; Afeye Secondary School, Ikiran-Ile; and Makeke Secondary Makeke.

The other schools are Okpameri Grammar School, Ibillo; Dangbala Secondary School, Dangbala; Ojirami Secondary, Ojirami; and Afe Comprehensive College, Ojirami-Afe.

Presenting letters to the schools on Wednesday, the lawmaker said that the gesture was to reduce financial burdens on the beneficiaries’ parents.

Mr Idaiye, the chief whip at the Edo House of Assembly, also said that the gesture was borne out of concern for the education of indigent students.

“This is part of my commitment to improving the standard of education and to reduce the burden of SSCE fees on parents,” Mr Idaiye said.

He urged the students to be determined, focused and devoted to academics.

“I congratulate the beneficiaries and remind them that secondary school education is not an end in itself but a means to attaining greater heights in academics.

“I am looking forward to a day when the beneficiaries will find themselves in the midst of the world’s entrepreneurial leaders and every other sphere of life.

“Let me admonish our parents that the best education starts at home. We should see it as our core duty to equip our children with the right values and encourage them to embrace quality education,” he said.

Mr Idaiye reiterated his commitment to initiating policies and programmes that would have a direct bearing on the lives of the people of his constituency.

The chairman of Akoko Edo LGA, Tajudeen Alaide, described the gesture as highly beneficial and unprecedented in the constituency’s history.

Mr Alaide urged the beneficiaries to be hardworking to justify the lawmaker’s investment in their education.

“I appeal to you, the beneficiaries, to reciprocate this kind gesture by excelling in your academic pursuits,” Mr Alaide said.

(NAN)