Kunle Adelabu & Joy Fasunnon
-Presents free GCE forms to 30 students
Financial support is coming the way of Law students from Ikorodu, especially those that were unable to enroll in law school after their graduation as Law students in various universities, due to financial constraints.
The foremost socio – cultural, economic and developmental association in Ikorodu – Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), has announced plans are underway to grant support in form of scholarship to law school graduates that are Ikorodu origin who are unable to get into the Law School.
IKODASS Chairman, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, revealed the plan at the third edition of the presentation of free GCE forms to 30 students across the Ikorodu Division, at the IKODASS Secretariat on Tuesday.
The educational intervention was sponsored by the Jimoh Longe Family and Babasola Benson Family of Ikorodu.
Beneficiaries were selected through a written test conducted for over 250 applicants.
In the last three years, 85 students have benefitted from the free GCE forms, while 60 candidates have also been given 60 JAMB forms. 88 students in various universities are enjoying IKODASS scholarship at different levels, while 50 of them are on full scholarship.
Erogbogbo, speaking, said that there will be intervention for the law students from Ikorodu, in paying either full or half of their fees for their law school enrolment.
He said that the modalities for their shortlisting for the scholarship is being worked on.
“We have some of our students from this city (Ikorodu) who are law graduates, but they don’t get to enroll into the Nigeria Law School, because the money is much. It is about #470, 000.
“From this year by by the grace of God, we are going to shortlist some for scholarship. It is either we pay all or we make it half.
“Some of these law graduates didn’t get registered last year, because there was no money. The IKODASS board is going to start the process this year. They will give us the parameters to use in helping these students into law school”, Mr Erogbogbo said.
While speaking on the GCE forms distribution, the IKODASS Chairman thanked members of the IKODASS Education Scholarship Board for their diligence and commitment over the years in handling the GCE and JAMB forms distributions as well as scholarships.
He congratulated the beneficiaries of the forms, stating that they are being presented with the forms because they made 60% in the examination conducted.
“I was very concerned about who these GCE forms should be given to. lt must be to those that merit it unlike GCE forms that were just been given to people anyhow, but we won’t do that here.
“The cut off point for the examination that we conducted to shortlist you, was 60 points and that is how we picked you for the forms.
“This is because we give out scholarship to students in year two in higher institutions on merit and we pay throughout your higher education. That is why we are doing this.
“Of all of you that applied, only 30 qualified for the GCE forms”, he said.
Mr Erogbogbp also charged the beneficiaries and other students in Ikorodu, to take their education serious, adding that they have no excuse with availability of scholarship schemes like that of IKODASS, IDPIL, Senator Abiru and the federal government’s NELFUND.
Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi, Coordinator, IKODASS Education Scholarship Board, thanked the Chairman for using his personality in getting funds to get educational support for sons and daughters of Ikorodu, in form of free GCE and JAMB forms and scholarship.
“IKODASS is not just about giving out GCE forms, but there have been so many educational interventions for our wonderful children in Ikorodu, including scholarships.
“Scholarships have been given by the IKODASS to our children that are performing very well with grades of four points and above in Lagos State University (LASU) and other institutions.
“I congratulate you for being among the beneficiaries. You must have gone through rigorous exercise to qualify from the pool of many that applied. Many others applied but they were unbale to get it, because the Chairman insisted that it must be on merit and he charged the board on examining properly.
“Now, you have succeeded in getting these free forms, but this is just the beginning. You have to perform in your examinations and prove our trust in you right. You have to reciprocate the gesture by passing your examinations in flying colours.
“You have to score As in your GCE and get good aggregate in your JAMB for you to get into universities”, Alhaja Ogunniyu charged the beneficiaries.
Mr Adeyemi Benson, an educational consultant who is handing the registration, sensitized beneficiaries on importance of choosing relevant subjects for the curse that they intend to pursue in higher institutions.
He also educated them on necessary requirements for the filing of the forms.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Comrade Gboyega Folarin, the immediate past NYCN Coordinator, Imota LCDA, who said that he will be writing the GCE examination because of his interest in another discipline, thanked IKODASS for the gesture and pledged that they will reciprocate the gesture with outstanding results.
Miss Williams Opeyemi Deborah , a 16 year-old SSS 3 student speaking with THE IMPACT, said that she feel excited with the free GCE forms.
“I feel good and feel excited about the form. I am happy that I am part of the people they chose. They should be expecting a good result”, she assured.
16 years old Samuel Moyinoluwa, who is also in SS 3, also expressed his appreciation.
“I feel great because it has been a wonderful opportunity for me to be here as one of the beneficiaries of the IKODASS Free CE forms. They should be expecting a good result from me as I promise to do my best”, he assured.
Also at the presentation were executives of IKODASS -Mr Akeem Animahun and Prince Feyiponmile Okemati and other members of the IKODASS Education board, Mr Afuwape Abaomi and Mrs Fetuga Adenike.
Meanwhile, IKODASS has called on well-meaning people and group, to partner with it by subscribing to its educational endowment to support children and youths in Ikorodu, and assist the community in the pursuit of a better tomorrow.
