Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG) on Friday, May 26, 2017, organised a party to celebrate the success story of the Association of Ikorodu Descendants (AKD-USA, ……) and to also honour the four medical students who benefited from its scholarship programme.
In his welcome address during the event which was held at the Oteju Multipurpose Hall, Ikorodu Town Hall, the chairmen of IDRDG Oloye M. Solebo said that the programme was organized in order to celebrate, appreciate and express their gratitude to Ikorodu Division Human Resource Development Board for its outstanding contributions towards the success story of AKD-USA and also for it’s unflinching support and being a partner in progress with the AKD-USA, a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Chicago.
The chairman said that the IDRDG action was worthy of emulation and hopes that it would continue to extend its arms of generosity to the division whenever called upon again for assistance in any capacity.
He gave a run-down of some of the contributions of AKD-USA to the promotion of the socio-economic development of Ikorodu division to include, University Scholarship award to some indigent undergraduates who are indigenes of Ikorodu diversion, supply of 400KVA generator for the use of the library and Ikorodu Division Human Resource Development Board at the Ikorodu Town Hall; supply of family used shoes, clothes, belts, and bags to the needy students in Ikorodu division, supply of two desk-top computers to IDHRDB, supply of four units split air-conditioners to the library, supply of books to Ikorodu town hall library, supply of wooden chairs and desks to some selected schools within the division.
While delivering his keynote address, chairman of the committee on AKD-USA scholarship scheme, Prince Jamiu Adio Saka explained that when the scheme started on 5th March 2010, IDRDG constituted a committee to consider and recommend qualified applicants for the AKD-USA Chicago scholarship scheme.
He said that twenty two applicants applied for the awards out of which only twenty students showed up for an interview. According to him, the committee was guided by the following criteria, applicants must be indigenes of Ikorodu, must be indigent, must be scholarly in character and learning, must be interested in science with special consideration in Medicine, he must be in his/her first year in the university.
According to him, six candidates were short listed for the award. On further consultation, the committee was requested by members of AKD-USA, Chicago, to recommend eight science students but only six science-oriented students among those interviewed were qualified on the above criteria.
He said that the committee added non-science students having satisfied the afore-mentioned criteria but the final selection was done by AKD-USA, which limited the offer to only five medical students and one science student.
Stating further, he noted that of the six recipients of the scholarship offer, only four of them succeeded in meeting the stringent but above average academic performance, hence, we are honouring them today.
“We are celebrating the efforts of AKD-USA Chicago today in order to call on individuals and groups in the division to do same. Their contribution are through well-earned funds and of their individual generosity. No doubt, this action, among their other contributions are worthy of being emulated,” he stated.
On his part, Mr. Shakiru Solebo, the Vice-President, AKD-USA Chicago congratulated the four scholarship beneficiaries and also rejoiced with them for the successful completion of their medical programme and that they should count themselves lucky and very fortunate to have won the scholarship out of many that applied. He advised them to imbibe the spirit of paying back to the communities, explaining that the programme would be a continuous one.
One of the beneficiaries while expressing his gratitude said that he had benefited immensely from AKD-USA and thanked them for their development oriented programme.
Segun Jaiyesimi, another beneficiary said that he feels honored to be one of the beneficiaries. According to him, his dream of becoming a medical doctor had been fulfilled.
The two other beneficiaries, Andu Nosimot and Yinka Oladunni also expressed their appreciation to the AKD-USA for their contributions and support. They prayed that God would continue to uplift the Association in their future pursuit.
After the programme, Award of Excellence was presented to AKD-USA Chicago for their remarkable contributions to Ikorodu and Lagos State.
Dignitaries present at the event included, Hon. Abike-Dabiri Erewa, represented by Pastor (Mrs.) Adedeji; Hon. Babajimi Benson, former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; Chairman IDHRDB, Prof. (Chief) Kunle Ade Wahab; Managing Director, Ikorodu General Hospital, Dr. Olukoga, Ikorodu Education Secretary, Taiwo Oduloye, among others.
