The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Tolu Odebiyi has added another set of 50 undergraduate students to the hundred of students who will have their tuition paid yearly until graduation under his Scholarship Foundation awards scheme.
The Sen. Tolu Odebiyi Scholarship awards was held on Sunday, 28th November, 2021 at the Conference Hall of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The 50 youths are indigenes of Ogun West Senatorial District studying in various public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Also, 50 brand new higher grade HP Laptops were distributed to them to aid learning in their various tertiary institutions.
Underscoring the importance of education, the Senator who is also the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine transport said, “Education remains the bedrock of any society or nation, and it is a catalyst for socio-economic and political development of a nation”.
He noted that “The third edition of the annual Tolu Odebiyi Undergraduate Scholarship Award Ceremony, organised by the Tolu Odebiyi Foundation to identify and reward academic excellence among undergraduates of Ogun West Senatorial District is in tandem with my passion for the education sector. In the trajectory of my career, education has played a significant role, and this made me to come to the realization that no investment in education, no matter its quantum, is ever a waste”.
He stressed that the success of many nations in tackling major development problems such as poverty, unemployment, among others can be traced to their educational system.
The Ogun West Senator who is determined to help students in Ogun West achieve their academic goals, accentuated that, “He is an irrepressible advocate of the educational advancement of the people of Ogun State, particularly Ogun West Senatorial District. This is premised on my conviction that human capital development plays a vital role in the long-term productivity and development of any society. That is why education has continued to attract the highest priorities in my scheme of things, as the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
“Presently, I have sponsored no fewer than five education related Bills at the Senate”.
While highlighting his efforts to transform the educational sector, he said, “I have embarked on several other constituency interventions projects in various secondary schools across Ogun West. All of these projects are geared towards improving the educational standard of our people”.
He further said that, “It is gratifying to note that the programme has recorded huge success since it inception in 2019. Indeed, we have expanded the scope and operations of the scheme through collaborations with some FINTECH companies, thereby making it a veritable platform, not just providing scholarships to deserving students of Ogun West Senatorial District, but also recommending them for internship and job placements”.
Also while speaking at the event, Mrs. Folashade Odebiyi encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to advance their academic pursuit.
In her goodwill message, a member of board of trustees of the foundation, Mrs. Olanike Akerele De-Souza urged the students to go out and fulfill their dreams of becoming great citizens of Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Oluwasegun Ayobami Oyedele thanked Sen. Odebiyi for the Scholarship which he described will go a long way in helping them to achieve their academic goals.
Dignitaries present at the event included Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi, government functionaries, traditional rulers and All Progressives Congress members.
