Kunle Adelabu
-Asiwaju Kaoli, Ikorodu Eminent Personalities, beneficiaries laud initiatives
The Ikorodu Federal representative, Rep. Babajimi Benson, has inaugurated a scheme to support law students from Ikorodu in their studies in Law School, with 30 candidates who benefited in the maiden grant receiving N200, 000 each.
The initiative was conceived in a positive response to frequent requests for assistance by law graduates when mobilized for studies in law school, according to the Director – General, iCare Foundation, Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, and it will be an annual scheme.
Beneficiaries were from various public and private tertiary institutions, including Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (Unilag), Elizade University, Redeemer’s University, Lagos State University (LASU), Ambrose Alli University, among others.
Mayor Sanwoola, providing insight into what necessitated the initiative explained that:
“Over the years, we found out that whenever the Law School mobilization is on, the intending students usually trickle into our office to seek help going to law schools – in terms of transportation, settling down or to buy some stuff.
“This year, we had up to three requests and there is one young chap among them that we spoke with about the challenges being faced by students going to the law school and he told us that many of them are facing similar challenges and they have to defer their admissions because they don’t have money to get to their law school campuses, and get other necessary things that they need.”
Mayor Deen Sanwoola elaborated, “Because of this guy’s persistence, we rolled out application forms for interested law graduates who are residents of Ikorodu to apply. At the end, 30 candidates applied and those are the 30 beneficiaries that we are supporting with the grant.
“So, we are presenting the grant to them because they would be resuming at their various campuses right after the Ramada.”
While stressing that no condition is attached to the grant, the iCare DG, also said that the only expectation from them is that they must make Ikorodu proud with good results.
“Our expectation is that they pass in their law school and make Ikorodu proud. We have no other condition attached to the grant except that they should do well.
“Just like every other iCare programme, this is also going to be a yearly one. It would be an opportunity for Ikorodu residents going to the law school and we are the first to do that,” he said.
Rep. Babajimi Benson, speaking, said that the grant is to support and motivate the law school candidates, adding that it is a way of developing the next generation of lawyers and leaders.
“The grant is to motivate and support indigent students from Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who have been successfully mobilized to attend the Nigerian Law School.
“The grant which is specially designed to support law graduates in the pursuit of legal education across the country will not only enhance human capital development but empower the next generation of leaders.”
He thanked the chieftains of the Eminent Personalities in Ikorodu Division (EPID), led by the Chairman Liaison Council, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the Asiwaju of Ibeshe Kingdom and Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA and other stakeholders for joining him in motivating the students.
Addressing the law school candidates, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, charged them on the need to pursue education, self – development and commit themselves to adding value to humanity and society.
He said that they cannot serve efficiently without competence and good qualities.
Asiwaju Kaoli commended the lawmaker for the initiative.
Arch. Taiwo Kara, Chairman, Ikorodu Resource Development Group (IDRDG) and chieftain of EPID, in his own remarks informed the students that their admission into the Nigerian Law School is the beginning of success which they must be committed to.
“To be here today, you have gone through a lot and you have completed stage one of your journey. This is just the beginning to record more successes and you must approach it with total commitment and dedication.”
He charged the law school candidates to emulate Rep. Benson who is a qualified lawyer and representative who has done a lot in promoting Ikorodu, develop it infrastructurally, economically and develop its youths.
Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa, former Head of Service, Lagos State, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, another former Head of Service in the state and others that also spoke admonished the students to focus on their education and be good ambassadors of Ikorodu.
Some of the students that spoke with THE IMPACT appreciated Rep. Benson’s gesture which they described as timely.
Oluwatobiloba Akinsanya, a graduate of law from Lagos State University, described the support as an investment in him and others and pledged to graduate in flying colours and also give back to the society.
“I am quite happy and elated and short of words because it’s not every time that you will see a person representing you having the thought of investing in the future of young lawyers and youths.
“This is just like a miracle because we all know the cost of getting into the Nigerian Law School and afford basic things to use while you are in the school. So, for the honourable to even think of us as worthy beneficiaries of this laudable initiative is beyond our thinking.
“I, in particular, am very excited about the initiative and it has shown us that we also have to give back to the society when we have fully established ourselves in the practice, especially for the ones coming behind us.
“This is an investment in our future which means that we must graduate with very good results and in the future we also have to make ways for other people,” he said.
Another graduate of LASU, Ms. Abisola Kuye, also commended the donor for the support.
“This grant will actually go a long way considering the economic situation in the country. This will support me in going to law school like buying textbooks which are very expensive in law school. It will help me in no small measure.”
