Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Ogunsanya, IDPIL Chairman, assures of N20m endowment annually
Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman, Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE, chieftains of the Initiative with Royal fathers in Ikorodu Division and eminent personalities in group photograph with beneficiaries of the maiden IDPIL/GTE Scholarship and Bursary schemes after presentation of cheques at the Adeboruwa palace in Igbogbo on Saturday.
A whopping total of 195 students that are indigenes and residents of Ikorodu division have received scholarship and bursary awards from the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE (IDPIL/GTE) as part of the group’s support for educational development in the division.
Over 400 applicants put in for the awards which were in three categories – Scholarship, Bursary I and Bursary II, and also partook in interview and written examinations conducted by the group which were all given comprehensive coverage by THE IMPACT last month.
While 12 applicants emerged as IDPIL/GTE maiden scholars with N200, 000 each which they are to enjoy every session provided that they maintained their grades, 135 students got N100, 000 each for Burasy II category and 48 students were presented with N50, 000 cheque each for the Bursary II category.
Sir David Sunmoni, Pro Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU) (left) presenting N200, 000 cheque to one of the IDPIL scholarship (middle). With them Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, IDPIL (2nd left), Hon (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairman, IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Committee (2nd right) and Mr Taiwo Awolaru, .Secretary, Scholarship and Bursary Committee (right)
The presentation of cheques to beneficiaries took place at the Adeboruwa palace, Igbogbo, on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairman, IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Committee, said that the screening committee went through rigorous processes in the selection of the beneficiaries.
She commended the brilliance of beneficiaries during the screening that qualified them for the award.
“What we are gathered here to witness today is a culmination of tenacious efforts and meticulous processes leading to the shortlisting of 195 beneficiaries of the maiden IDPIL Education Endowment Fund”, she said.
“It is important for me to appreciate the diligence and sense of duty demonstrated by the Screening Committee throughout the processes leading to today’s event. I must also commend the professional inputs from our Consultants towards the success of today’s event.
“Without mincing words, I would like to congratulate all our successful beneficiaries for making it this far. While the financial support may seem ‘free’, many of our beneficiaries had gone through written examination, rigorous screenings and interviews to have qualified for this award. I, therefore, congratulate you all for your hardwork”.
Hon. Akinsola assured royal fathers and eminent guests at the presentation ceremony that Ikorodu’s future is very bright going by the quality performances by the beneficiaries.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo (2nd left) presenting cheque to one of the Bursary I beneficiaries (middle). With them, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru Executive Secretary, IDPIL/GTE (2nd right), Hon. Chief (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairman, IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Committee (left) and Dr Abiodun Fatai Abatan, consultant to the IDPIL.
“My committee is proud to say that the future of Ikorodu Division is very bright, with the massive demonstration of academic excellence and native intelligence demonstrated by many of our applicants during the screening and interview processes”, she said.
“This further underscores the importance of a community driven initiative as this, conceived to provide the much needed financial support for our brilliant minds across the division”, she added.
The chairman, IDPIL/GTE, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of lkorodu Kingdom, said that the body that was initially setup as a divisional security architecture, has been able to assist in providing security for lives and properties unlike what were obtainable before its establishment.
”Precisely about seven months ago, history was made at the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, where we formally launched the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative alongside the distribution of patrol vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies and our Local Joint task Force (LJTF)”, he said.
“I am proud to say that Ikorodu Division has become a safer and more peaceful place, due to the good works of our Local Joint Task Force with the collaborative efforts of other security agencies”.
Odofin Ogunsanya, who assured of the continuation of the N20mmilion educational endowment fund annually, added that IDPIL is building future leaders through the laudable scheme.
Oba Bashir Shotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo (2nd left) presenting cheque to one of the Bursary II beneficiaries. With them, are chieftains of the IDPIL
“Today, history is being written here again, as we have taken another bold step in shaping the future of the Ikorodu Division of our dream, through the unprecedented investment of N20 Million Naira into our Education Endowment Fund’, he said.
“The popular saying that, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”, aptly captures the imperative of educating our teeming youths with a view to building them into great men and women in their respective careers tomorrow. As a proactive and responsible organization, this is not lost on us as this informs the reason behind instituting Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Endowment Fund”.
While congratulating the awardees, Odofin Ogunsanya also commended them for making their parents and the division proud with their sterling performance.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and boardroom guru, also stated that IDPIL/GTE has the mandate to also intervene in other aspects of Ikorodu Division.
“Let me once again reiterate that our objectives are not centred on security alone, but other areas captured in our SHEER Agenda – Security, Health, Education, Environment and Road Rehabilitation (SHEER) with a view to enhancing development and comfort of the citizenry. I want you to be rest assured of our commitment towards this goal as our intervention in the socio – economic activities in the Division would be a continuum”, Odofin Ogunsanya said.
Mr AbdulRahman Lekki, Board Secretary, Lagos State Scholarship Board, in his remarks, commended the initiative which he described as the largest endowment by a non – government body.
Builder Adeola Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Builder Olusesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA (2nd left), Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, Imota LCDA and Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju,Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA (right) at the IDPIL scholarship and bursary awards presentation
He charged beneficiaries to pay back the donors by continuing with their academic excellence.
Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, who was represented by Mr Adesokan Saheed, also commended the initiative.
His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, in their rrespective royal remarks, commended the initiative.
The royal fathers, while appreciating the efforts of the IDPIL Chairman, Odofin Ogunsanya, in developing the division, also pledged their support for him and the body.
Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, who is the host Chairman and also spoke on behalf of other Chairmen, lauded the initiative of the IDPIL/GTE.
He charged beneficiaries not to take the gesture for granted by ensuring that they use the awards as motivating factor to further their academic excellence. He also enjoined them to ensure that they pay back to the community when they too are in position.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Oyinnyechi Toluwani Osisiogu, said that the gesture would go a long way in assisting them in their educational attainment.
Cross section of the IDPIL scholarship and bursary awards beneficiaries
“On behalf of all the beneficiaries of the scholarship, I say a big thank you to the organisers of the scholarship initiative. It is something that would go a long in helping a lot of us out”, she said.
“As students, we have a lot of needs apart of food, books and others. So, we say a big thank you because this is a grand gesture. You have invested in our lives and future and we assure that we are going to return the investment”.
She assured that the scholarship and bursary awards would be put into good use by beneficiaries.
“We assure you that we would put the scholarship into good use and it would help us very well in furthering our education and that would make us come back to impact on the community positively. Once again, I say a very big thank you”, she said.
Miss Oladunni Zainab, 500 Level Medicine student, Lagos State College of Medicine, Lagos State University, also speaking said that the scholarship and bursary awards would motive beneficiaries to continue their academic excellence.
“I say a big thank you to Ikorodu Division, Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative’s Chairman, members of its board of trustees and everyone that took part in organizing the scholarship and bursary awards. Thank you sirs. We pray that this would not be the end of this initiative”, she said
Alhaji Wale Amusa, CEO, HOMAT Group of Schols (right), Mr Oyesanya Oresajo, senior NDLEA officer (2nd right), CSP Balogun, DPO, Ikorodu Divisional Police Headquarters, Ikorodu (middle), Mr Babatunde Afuwape, a community leader and Chhef (Mrs) Ogunsanya, Yeye Aremo of Ikorodu Kingdon )left) at the presentation ceremony
“The award being given to us is a privilege and not because we are the best of students, though, we have put in so much efforts into achieving academic excellence. This would motivate us and make us continue with our academic excellence, political engagement and advocacy.
‘We are the future of Ikorodu and we shall continue to dominate others. So, when we go out there, lets continue to represent and bring back home glories”, she charged.
0ther royal fathers eminent guests at the presentation ceremony are HRM Oba Bashir Shotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba David Raji, Eweye of Isiwu, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resources Development Group (IDRDG), Hon. SOB Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Sir David Sunmoni, Pro – Chancellor, LASU, Prince Adekunle Oduborisha, President, Oriwu Club, Ikorodu, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the Asipa of Ikorodu and IDPIL chieftain, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Ele4sho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu and IDPIL chieftain and
