The chairman of the Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Joseph Gbenu, presented bursary awards to 200 students in the area on Friday.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony at the council secretariat in Kankon, Mr Gbenu urged the students to utilise the funds effectively toward academic excellence.

“As a local government, we are giving you this token to encourage you in your studies to be more focused.

“I urge you to shun all forms of vices such as cultism, gangsterism, examination malpractice, and social media addiction,” Mr Gbenu said.

The chairman said that the bursary award varied depending on their course of study.

According to him, arts and education students will receive  ₦50,000, law and engineering students will receive N75,000, and those studying medicine will receive ₦100,000 each.

Mr Gbenu urged the students to use the bursary awards to settle some of their academic challenges in their various institutions.

John Boyon, president of the National Association of Badagry West Students, expressed gratitude to the council chairman.

“If not for you, I wouldn’t be in this council. You are very approachable and accessible, a true leader who wants others to grow.

“We will continue to support you in your future aspirations,” he said.

Godonu Sodiq, emeritus secretary of the Pavilion Project, Education Students Association of Nigeria, Lagos State University (ESAN-LASU), praised the chairman’s exceptional leadership.

“You are an extraordinary leader, youthful and resourceful,” he said.

Jacob Francis, member of the Lagos State Youth Parliament and chairman of the house committee on education, commended the chairman’s unwavering commitment to education development.

“The chairman gave out the first bursary awards two weeks before the expiration of my tenure as NABWES president, and I’m happy that it started during my tenure and has not stopped till date,” he said. 

(NAN)