The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government in Lagos State, Adedayo Ladega, on Wednesday disbursed N10 million as a bursary to 200 indigenous students studying in tertiary institutions across the country.

Each of the 200 beneficiaries received N50,000 under the bursary scheme at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat.

The gesture is part of activities marking Mr Ladega’s first year in office.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ladega said the initiative was aimed at supporting education and providing practical assistance to young people in the community.

“Today is about students and their future. We are committed to supporting education through practical intervention that will make a difference in the lives of our people.

“Over 200 Ikorodu students across various tertiary institutions in Nigeria will benefit from this scheme,” he said.

Mr Ladega said the bursary was part of his administration’s educational interventions, which included support for General Certificate of Education (GCE) and GEMS programmes.

The chairman urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the financial support and remain focused on their studies.

“We will support you, and we expect you to do your part. Make the most of this opportunity,” he said.

Also, Supervisor for Education, Ikorodu Local Government, Oladele Ogunfodunrin, said more than 2,000 applications were screened before the final 200 beneficiaries were selected.

Mr Ogunfodunrin said the screening was to ensure only genuine Ikorodu indigenes benefited from the scheme.

According to him, applicants were required to prove their indigenous status and undergo online screening, with the committee conducting a thorough vetting process.

He said members of the screening committee were drawn from various institutions and had experience in conducting such exercises.

He said the bursary scheme would be sustained annually, noting that the chairman promised continuity of the programme.

“This is a once-a-year event, and the chairman has promised the continuity of the programme. It is the chairman’s first bursary award, and it is part of his one-year anniversary,” Mr Ogunfodunrin said.

Also speaking, Deputy Speaker, Ikorodu Students’ Association Students Parliamentary Council, Abubakar Al-Ameen, commended the local government for the initiative.

Mr Al-Ameen, who spoke on behalf of the students, said the bursary would help reduce the financial burden on beneficiaries and support their academic development.

“We sincerely appreciate the Ikorodu Local Government for this laudable initiative aimed at supporting students in our community,” he said.

He commended the council leadership for investing in students’ future, noting that the initiative had surpassed their expectations.

“Our chairman has raised the bar beyond expectations. On behalf of all the students, we say a big thank you to the chairman for this wonderful initiative,” Mr Al-Ameen said.

He also urged the youth to participate in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He encouraged students who had yet to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs) to begin the registration process.

“Let us not forget our duty as youths. The upcoming election, the 2027 agenda – you must come out and vote.

“We are the future of tomorrow. The generation starts now. So let’s get our PVCs. If you have not got your PVC, get your pre-registration,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Oyefunsi Latifa, expressed appreciation to the local government for the bursary, saying the financial assistance would help ease some of the expenses associated with her education.

“I am very grateful to the chairman and the local government for this support. As a student, there are always expenses to meet, and this bursary will help reduce some of the financial pressure.

“I appreciate the effort put into selecting genuine indigenous students, and I hope the programme will continue so that more students can benefit in the future,” she said. 

(NAN)