Kunle Adelabu
-This will be your administration’s best legacy– Dr Ibikunle, Board Chair, tells Chairman
The Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Akeem Rotimi Erogbogbo, on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, constituted a new scholarship board with a charge to design a template for the selection, screening and picking of deserving candidates for the association’s two scholarship programmes in accordance with international global standard.
The new board, led by Otunba (Dr) Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, Permanent Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Board (LSUBEB) as chairman, was constituted at the IKODASS Board Room.
Other members of the board are: Mr Seun Elesho, IKODASS Secretary who also doubles as the Board Secretary, Dr Abiodun Fatai Abatan, senior lecturer, Lagos State University (LASU) and Member, Governing Council, Lagos State Sports Commission who will be a member of the Board, and Mrs Fetuga Adenike Koletowo, a teacher in United Junior High School, Ikorodu.
At least, 10 students would benefit from the two scholarship programmes sponsored by IKODASS and an individual, Mr Abiodun Gani Longe.
The IKODASS Chairman, speaking at the event, said that the composition of the new board with people with vast experience in the scholarship board was aimed at putting in place an effective system in line with international standards.
“On behalf of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, myself and the entire executive members of IKODASS, I welcome you to this important occasion which is the inauguration of the IKODASS Scholarship Board”, he said.
“The reconstitution of the board is part of our efforts to ensure that we have a reliable and effective system in place and a structure that is in tune with the global standard. Hence, you (board members) were picked based on your vast experience in the education sector and due to your effective managerial skills in setting up a standard process in picking deserving indigent students for the 2021 Scholarship awards which will be presented during the grand finale of the 30th Ikorodu – Oga Carnival at the Ayangbure palace on Saturday, November…. .
“Primarily, your responsibility is to design a template for the selecting, screening and picking deserving candidates for the two scholarship programmes in accordance with details provided below and in such a way that you deem fit and in line with standard scholarship system”, he announced.
Speaking on the IKODASS scholarship, Mr Erogbogbo said:
“The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to deserving and brilliant Ikorodu students. Through this, we are helping them to achieve their academic and by extension, life pursuit”, IKODASS Chairman said.
“Under this programme, your committee will recommend five candidates who are qualified to benefit and who must be in 200 Level in their respective course of study.
“It is important to note that funds for this particular scholarship award will be provided by IKODASS through donations and sponsorship”.
Erogbogbo, who told members of the committee that they are to strictly follow the criteria given by the sponsor of the scholarship, also said:
“The sponsor of the scholarship is sponsoring it under the name, AGL (Abiodun Gani Longe) Delightsome Scholarship”.
“This is a newly introduced scholarship by this administration with a dedicated account. It is being sponsored by Mr Abiodun Gani Longe as part of his commitment to advancing educational standard and supporting less privileged students.
“Beneficiaries in this category too must be in their second year in any tertiary institution studying Science, Technical and Accounting Courses.
“It must be gender friendly and 20% of the beneficiaries must be non – indigenes while the scholarship itself is strictly for less – privileged students (both indigent and non – indigenes)”, he said.
He said that the amount that would be given to each beneficiary for the IKODASS award would be made known to the committee as soon as the fund is available.
He also charged the new board not to accept any slot from anybody but focus on deserving and qualified candidates who must be selected on merit.
Erogbogbo also assured members of the committee that IKODASS has opened a dedicated account has been opened for its scholarship awards adding that the account will be strictly for donations for the purpose.
In his response, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated board, Dr Ibikunle thanked the IKODASS Chairman and entire executives on behalf of other members.
“Largely, IKODASS is the representation of all of us. We want to thank you for appointing us for this assignment. I have to key into this because it is all about community development which, if properly guided, will translate into national development”, Dr Ibikunle said.
While stating that development is not all about physical infrastructures, Dr Ibikunle added that there is need to train youths to maintain whatever infrastructural development that are being put in place.
“We need to train out youths so as to be able to sustain whatever development that we are putting in place now. Government and Community based groups are doing a lot but all seem as if they are not doing anything because most of these things have been vandalized and destroyed by those that they are meant for”, he said.
“It is better to train the youths so that we can build a community that will be responsible for protecting public infrastructures and not those that will be vandalizing schools and other projects.
“Unfortunately, the concept of development that has to do with output is no longer in vogue.
“We measure development in terms of human resources and I am saying that you are doing the right thing with this scholarship and that is why I am here today”, Dr Ibikunle added.
“What you are doing today with this scholarship is good to state that this is the only legacy that you will be forever remembered for.
“I am here today to tell you development in humans is the only lasting thing and when we have that, there can be change everywhere.
“Someone like me and Dr Abiodun Abatan who is also a member of this board are products of community schools and today, we have not only improved ourselves but also impacted and improved many others.
“Investment on human capacity is about the best and we must continue to do everything to do that”, he added.
Furthermore, the Board Chairman said that it is the duty of the community to assist and take care of students that are struggling to get education.
“Many students are struggling and they just need a platform to assist in their development and they will turn out to be great entrepreneurs that would change the community and nation at large”, Dr Ibikunle said.
He assured the Chairman and executive members of IKODASS that the new board will do a thorough job that they would be proud of.
“I can assure you that we are going to do a good job that all of you will be proud of and we expect IKODASS to be our mouthpiece and defend the task that we have been given”, he said.
