Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL) screening exercise for the 2023 scholarship and bursary for applicants, were concluded last Wednesday after their three days physical appearance before the body’s committee.
The educational support scheme for brilliant and indigent students, was introduced last year to encourage young residents and support their education.
While 111 students applied for Bursary II, a total of 235 applicants were screened for Bursary I. Applicants in the two categories attended oral interview, and successful applicants will be awarded N50, 000 and N100, 000 respectively.
For the scholarship, 74 candidates that applied for the scheme were engaged in an aptitude test and oral interview. Successful applicants will be awarded N200, 000 each. The scholarship scheme is open to both indigenes and residents living in Ikorodu Division.
A total of 200 applicants are expected to benefit from the year 2023/2024 IDPIL Scholarship/Bursary Scheme, solely sponsored by IDPIL.
Welcoming the scholarship applicants, M Salami Awolaru.T.H, Director of Administration & Finance, IDPIL, said that the group will be awarding the education support schemes to more students.
“Last year, we did the same scheme and we had about 187 bursary and scholarship students that were given these awards in different categories. This year, it’s going to be a bit more. We will be having about 200 beneficiaries for the Bursary 2, Bursary 1 and scholarship. And, as you have known, scholarship is not for everybody. We will be picking a few that merit it based on performance”, he said.
“You are going to be writing an aptitude test, though, not a certificate examination but it is something standard. Through this, we are setting standards so that when you go out, you will be proud of it”.
Meanwhile, the applicants have commended the screening process put in place for the scheme, by IDPIL.
Kamson Olaniyi, a 200 level student of Medicine and Surgery, Lagos State University, speaking with THE IMPACT, praised the screening exercise.
“The exercise was free and fair. Everybody was treated equally and the question is to test our knowledge and the understanding of our course of study as well. So, it’s a good exercise”.
“At the end of this exercise, I hope that I will be selected. I have done my part and I pray that l am selected”, he said.
A 200 level Nursing student, Lagos State College of Medicine, Miss Oseni Kehinde, also described the screening as a well – organized exercise.
“The exercise was well organized, and the organizers are well articulated. They made everything easy. Our exam started on time and ended on time. Everything was fine.
“It was a free and fair exercise. I did not see anybody called aside or anything. Everybody was on their own, while the exam was going on”, she said.
Jide Benson, a final year (600 level) student of Medicine and Surgery, Lagos State University College of Medicine, in his own assessment, said:
“First of all, I would like to thank all the committee members, especially Mrs Akinsola, the head of the bursary and scholarship scheme. The scheme is to help lkorodu indigenes and the indigents, so I am actually grateful for it”, he said.
“We just finished the exam and the exam was quite lovely. We hope to receive good news when the results come out. I hope that they call us back that we have been successfully picked and passed the exam. That is what I am hoping for. We have done our best, and is left for God to do the rest for us”, he said.
Shonibare Mariam Oyindamola, a final year student of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, in her own remarks, said:
“Actually, I participated last year in this exercise, but I was not picked, So, I came back to partake in it again”, she said.
“The exercise is about a task and you have to use your brain. The knowledge of current affairs is also included in it. It was okay. I was able to finish all the questions.
“It was fair because the questions are what a student should know. An average student is expected to know the questions given to us. However, you also have to be very good to answer those questions.
“I hope for the best because I was really sad when I was not picked last year. I really prepared harder for this year, so, I hope to be picked this time around”, she said.
In her own comment, Adele Mubarak Adedeji, a 400 level student of Dentistry and Dental Study, Lagos University College of Medicine, also described the exercise as a good one.
“The exercise was a good challenge and was also tasking. It was not what I expected, but it stood out. It’s not like other scholarships that you have to do a lot of things for you to be picked. It was challenging and tasking”, he said.
“I hope for good news when the results are released. I have done my best”.
Other IDPIL chieftains at the screening were Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, IDPIL, Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairman, Scholarship and Award Committee, Dr. Oladunjoye Oyebo, Alhaja Laulat Alaka, Alhaji Luqman Shonibare, Alhaji Odufeko and Engr. Taofeek Kalejaiye.
