Kunle Adelabu
Tortuga Frigate, a humanitarian and Non – Governmental organization, has stated that its educational intervention in providing free National Examination Council (NECO) forms to brilliant and less privileged students who cannot afford it, is an intervention to support the government and parents.
55 NECO/SSCE forms were on Friday, May 7, 2021, presented to brilliant Senior Secondary School students and other less privileged students at a ceremony held at the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Secretariat in Ikorodu.
The group, which has many objectives among which is mentoring of the youths and guiding them to achieve their fullest potentials, presented fund for about 30 brilliant beneficiaries who are still in school, to the Secretary of the Association of National Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Ikorodu Division, Mr Ufuani Humphrey who in turn handed the fund over to teachers that accompanied the students from various schools, for onward transfer to their Principals.
According to the Tortuga Frigate Chairman, Principals of the schools where the benefitting students are domiciliary, are expected to register the students after being contacted by parents with letters presented to the students.
Others who are out of school were presented with their letters and funds directly to register in their school of choice while a committee has been setup by the group to monitor the exercise.
Meanwhile, Comrade Pelumi Olalekan Rado, Chairman, Tortuga Frigate, speaking at the programme, said that the presentation of the forms is part of the group’s efforts to assist parents and encourage brilliant students as well as assist government’s educational policy.
He also said that they provided the gesture to help societal development.
“Today, which is one of our lined up programmes, we are presenting Fifty-Five (55) NECO Forms to indigent but brilliant students across Senior Secondary Schools In Ikorodu Division and to some prominent Associations within the same Division.
“You will recall that the State Government paid for the May/June West Africa Examination (WAEC) for students in Lagos State, we took this upon ourselves to support the Government and equally help any indigent but very brilliant student whose parents cannot afford to obtain the NECO-SSCE form.
“This is our little way in stretching our helping hands to the society. It was tedious achieving this lofty goal but we thank our wonderful officials for a job well done.
He charged beneficiaries to take advantage of the group’s gesture and face their studies in order to pass the examinations in flying colours and use the result in securing admission into the higher institutions to pursue their life’s dreams.
He added that Tortuga Frigate would continue to extend its gesture in advancing educational and community developments.
“To all the beneficiaries, I want you to make good use of the opportunity by coming out in flying colours as this may determine what you will become in life”, he said.
“See this Scholarship as a stepping stone to greater heights. I pray that this will be your last sitting for NECO-SSCE and WAEC Examinations for your admission into the Higher Institution.
“I am proud to say that Tortuga Frigate will continue to strive to achieve its goals of adding value and giving back to the community.
Comrade Pelumi thanked the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Education and the Education District II, for their support in approving the initiative while also thanking members of the group for their tireless efforts in achieving the group’s objectives.
He assured that the group would continue to impact positively on the society through its programmes.
“We will continue to impact our community positively and also sensitize the youths on the need to shun violence and other social vices”.
Mrs Oroge, a senior staff of the Education District II, represented the Tutor – General/ Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) Mrs Arike Adekanye.
The TG/PS commended parents for their impacts on the lives of their children and the Tortuga Frigate for its educational support.
”I commend our dynamic mummies and daddies for promoting the future of our children. God bless you”.
She also charged the benefitting students to encourage their sponsors to do more by making them proud in their examinations.
“To you students, please, prepare yourself for this NECO examination. Make sure you read and pass so that those that are sponsoring you will be proud of you”.
“God bless every member of the club for this wonderful gesture and support for our children’s education and development. Thank you so much”.
National President BAN-BC72, Comrade Abayomi Adejonwo, said that the initiative is meant to provide succour for students and parents, especially those that cannot afford the payment for the examinations and encouraged the benefitting students to attain academic excellence.
“I have seen some difficulties that students go through while studying. This gesture is to support and encourage them. We are seeing them as the future of this country and should be encouraged”, he said.
“We are encouraging them not only to pass the NECO examinations, but also to make it to the University and pursue their future.
“We are going to do Dr Bolaji Scholarship Scheme to further support educational development”, he announced.
Comrade Olalekan Oba Biliamin, the State Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), in his own remarks, also commended Tortuga Frigate and charged students to ensure that they pass their examination in flying colours.
“I thank all the sponsors for providing these free NECO/SSCE forms. It is really commendable. The only way you (students) can encourage those that sponsor you is when you come out with good results and proceed to University to be good ambassadors”, he said.
“I can see that with all these recent happenings, something positive is coming out of Ikorodu soon”, he added.
Other personalities at the presentation were Comrade Akeredolu Oluwaseun, State Chairman Alpha Galleon, Barrister Oyin Pedro, Coordinator Santiago Frigate, Comrade Francis Obiebi, National Welfare Secretary, Comrade Olumide Abikoye, National 1st Chief Provost Marshal, Representatives from Tasmania and Benija Frigate.
There were also Hon. Gbenga Awobajo, Councilor representing Ward A, Ikorodu Local Government, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, Chairman, NUT Ikorodu branch and Coordinators of NYCN across the Ikorodu Division.
