The Board of Trustees Chairman of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative IDPIL, High Chief Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN yesterday announced additional Ten Million Naira to the Annual IDPIL N20 Million Naira Scholarship and Bursary Endowment Fund, making it a total of Thirty Million Naira from next year.
Similarly, the BOT Chair, equally announced a whopping Ten Thousand US Dollars Cash Prize use to any of the IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Award beneficiary who emerges Best Graduating Student from their institution of learnings from next year 2024.
Ogunsanya made the announcement, in reaction to the remarks made by the Chairman, IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Award Committee, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola about one of the beneficiaries of the Maiden edition of the scholarship award, Miss Azizat Rufai who emerged the Best Graduating Student from the Lagos State University (LASU) during the 2023 Graduation Ceremony.
The billionaire philanthropist who could not hide his joy and excitements about the impact the Annual IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Award Endowment Fund has started making on the lives and academic performance of Ikorodu Division undergraduates noted that the additional funds and 10,000 Dollars Cash Prize gestures were aimed at promoting academic excellence among the students.
Ogunsanya equally stated that the IDPIL will continue to compliment government efforts in the educational development of Ikorodu Division. He however implored the gathering to admonish, awardees that, the ‘reward of hardwork is more work” hence, they should justify their inclusion in this exercise by proving sustained academic brilliance to make their parents proud, As the IDPIL, on it’s path, will not relent in its mission to enable a promising future for its vibrant youths
This development was part of the highlights from the 2nd Edition of the Annual IDPIL N20 Million Naira Scholarship and Bursary Award cheque presentation which held yesterday at Ibeshe.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of IDPIL, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru stated that, ‘the presentation of cheques to 200 beneficiaries of our Education Endowment Fund, is in fulfilment of our community driven “SHEER” agenda, which Aming others covers education. It is our belief that, a nation or community which neglects the importance education is undoubtedly on the path of destruction, as education is the fulcrum of upon which all other socio-economic and political developments rest upon’.
Chairman of the Scholarship and Bursary Award Committee, Hon (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola noted that her committee faced very herculean task shortlisting 200 beneficiaries from the 1,700 applicants that applied for the fund. She however expressed delight that her committee was highly impressed by the display of academic excellence among displayed by the applicants.
Royal Fathers at the event, including His Royal Majesties, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo and Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo commended Ogunsanya and the IDPIL for investing in the future of the Ikorodu Division, through the Scholarship and Bursary Award.
Chairman of the occasion and a retired Lagos State Head of Service, Alh Babatunde Tajudeen Rotinwa in his brief remarks, went down memory lane on how great men in Ikorodu Division who made their marks in various fields of human endeavours were products of academic excellence, being promoted by the IDPIL.
A former Minister for Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe who also graced the occasion applauded the IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary initiative, describing it as a strategic platform for re-enacting the days when Ikorodu Division indigenes were shining lights in Nigeria.
Other dignitaries and parents of beneficiaries also took turns to appreciate the huge support the IDPIL is giving their children and wards.
While the event was on-going, the organisers announced that, beneficiaries accounts were being credited with their Scholarship and Bursary funds and many of them testified to have received their alerts with a show of hands, a proof that the IDPIL Education Endowment Fund was not a fluke.
Miss Zainab who spoke on behalf of other awardees, thanked the IDPIL for the transformative agenda across various strata of Ikorodu Division which is giving the emerging City a new positive narratives. She further applauded the entire stakeholders for their laudable contribution.
In attendance were representatives of Oba Richard Ogunsanya, The Olubeshe of Ibeshe, High Chiefs across Ikorodu Division, Representatives of Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University.
Other dignitaries who graced the event were, representatives of Lagos State Permanent Secretary / Tutor-General, Education District 2, Mrs Anike Adekanye and representative of SUBEB Chairman, Hon (Dr) Hakeem Shittu.
