The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE (IDPIL /GTE), under the able leadership of High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom, has, once again, lived up to its promise of making massive investment in Ikorodu education sector by giving out scholarship and bursary awards worth a whopping N20million to a total of 195 students who are indigenes and residents of Ikorodu division.
This was a follow up to the procurement, presentation and distribution of vehicles and motorcycles to various local and conventional security agencies during the launching of the group in 2021, to enhance security architecture in Ikorodu division.
Oriwu Sun gathered that more than 400 applicants put in for the awards which were in three categories – Scholarship, Bursary I and Bursary II, and also partook in interview and written examinations conducted by the IDPIL Committee on Education.
While 12 applicants emerged as IDPIL/GTE maiden scholars with N200, 000 each which they are to enjoy every session provided that they maintained their grades, 135 students got N100, 000 each for Burasy II category and 48 students were presented with N50, 000 cheque each for the Bursary II category.
As expected, the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of the scholarship and bursary awards, which took place at the Adeboruwa palace, Igbogbo, on Saturday, September 10, 2022, recorded an impressive attendance of major stakeholders in Ikorodu division, which included traditional rulers and chiefs, Baales, council Chairmen, notable politicians and dignitaries among others.
Meanwhile, in her address, Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairman, IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Committee, said that the screening committee went through rigorous processes in the selection of the beneficiaries.
She equally commended the brilliance of beneficiaries during the screening that qualified them for the award.
“What we are gathered here to witness today is a culmination of tenacious efforts and meticulous processes leading to the shortlisting of 195 beneficiaries of the maiden IDPIL Education Endowment Fund”, she said.
“It is important for me to appreciate the diligence and sense of duty demonstrated by the Screening Committee throughout the processes leading to today’s event. I must also commend the professional inputs from our consultants towards the success of today’s event.
“Without mincing words, I would like to congratulate all our successful beneficiaries for making it this far. While the financial support may seem ‘free’, many of our beneficiaries had gone through written examination, rigorous screenings and interviews to have qualified for this award. I, therefore, congratulate you all for your hardwork”.
Hon. Akinsola assured royal fathers and eminent guests that Ikorodu’s future is very bright going by the quality performances by the beneficiaries.
“My committee is proud to say that the future of Ikorodu Division is very bright, with the massive demonstration of academic excellence and native intelligence demonstrated by many of our applicants during the screening and interview processes”, she said.
“This further underscores the importance of a community driven initiative as this, conceived to provide the much needed financial support for our brilliant minds across the division”, she added.
The chairman, IDPIL/GTE, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom, said that the body that was initially setup as a divisional security architecture, has been able to assist in providing security for lives and properties unlike what were obtainable before its establishment.
“Precisely about seven months ago, history was made at the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, where we formally launched the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative alongside the distribution of patrol vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies and our Local Joint task Force (LJTF)”, he said.
“I am proud to say that Ikorodu Division has become a safer and more peaceful place, due to the good works of our Local Joint Task Force with the collaborative efforts of other security agencies”.
Odofin Ogunsanya, who assured of the continuation of the N20mmilion educational endowment fund annually, added that IDPIL is building future leaders through the laudable scheme.
“Today, history is being written here again, as we have taken another bold step in shaping the future of the Ikorodu Division of our dream, through the unprecedented investment of N20 Million Naira into our Education Endowment Fund’, he said.
“The popular saying that, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance,” aptly captures the imperative of educating our teeming youths with a view to building them into great men and women in their respective careers tomorrow. As a proactive and responsible organization, this is not lost on us as this informs the reason behind instituting Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Endowment Fund”.
While congratulating the awardees, Odofin Ogunsanya also commended them for making their parents and the division proud with their sterling performance.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and boardroom guru, also stated that IDPIL/GTE has the mandate to also intervene in other aspects of Ikorodu Division.
“Let me once again reiterate that our objectives are not centred on security alone, but other areas captured in our SHEER Agenda – Security, Health, Education, Environment and Road Rehabilitation (SHEER) with a view to enhancing development and comfort of the citizenry. I want you to be rest assured of our commitment towards this goal as our intervention in the socio – economic activities in the Division would be a continuum”, Odofin Ogunsanya said.
Mr. AbdulRahman Lekki, Board Secretary, Lagos State Scholarship Board, in his remarks, commended the initiative which he described as the largest endowment by a non – government body.
He charged beneficiaries to pay back the donors by continuing with their academic excellence.
Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, who was represented by Mr. Adesokan Saheed, also commended the initiative.
His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, in their rrespective royal remarks, commended the initiative.
The royal fathers, while appreciating the efforts of the IDPIL Chairman, Odofin Ogunsanya, in developing the division, also pledged their support for him and the body.
Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, who is the host Chairman and also spoke on behalf of other Chairmen, lauded the initiative of the IDPIL/GTE.
He charged beneficiaries not to take the gesture for granted by ensuring that they use the awards as motivating factor to further their academic excellence. He also enjoined them to ensure that they pay back to the community when they too are in a position to do so.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Oyinyechi Toluwani Osisiogu said that the gesture would go a long way in assisting them in their educational attainment.
“On behalf of all the beneficiaries of the scholarship, I say a big thank you to the organisers of the scholarship initiative. It is something that would go a long in helping a lot of us out”, she said.
“As students, we have a lot of needs apart of food, books and others. So, we say a big thank you because this is a grand gesture. You have invested in our lives and future and we assure that we are going to return the investment”.
She assured that the scholarship and bursary awards would be put into good use by beneficiaries.
“We assure you that we would put the scholarship into good use and it would help us very well in furthering our education and that would make us come back to impact on the community positively. Once again, I say a very big thank you”, she said.
Other dignitaries at the event were: