ABEOKUTA- The lawmaker representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon federal constituency, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka has successfully secured federal government scholarships for 11 indigent students to study in Nigerian public tertiary institutions.
This initiative, according to him, was borne out of the genuine desire to pay more attention to the glaring fall in educational placement within Imeko-Afon federal constituency.
Hon. Isiaka disclosed this at the weekend in Ayetoro at the award presentation of the scholarship letters to the beneficiaries.
GNI represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Hon. Oduntan Atanda Razak said the scholarship exercise was for those seeking admission in tertiary institutions.
According to him, 50 applicants registered for the scholarship in August 2024, out of which 15 candidates who met the criteria were shortlisted.
He noted that the federal scholarship board later selected 11 candidates from the 15 shortlisted students for the scholarships lasting between two and three years with annual grants ranging from N300,000 to N500,000, respectively.
The lawmaker maintained that the beneficiaries have demonstrated remarkable academic excellence, proving that with the right support, they can achieve greatness.
He equally noted that some of the science based students within the constituency shall soon benefit from the federal government’s Bilateral Education Assistance (BEA) programme, which offers offshore opportunities and enable recipients to pursue specialised courses abroad.
Isiaka posited that he remained committed to expanding the educational support initiatives, working closely with schools, teachers, and community leaders to ensure that access to improved and quality education within the federal constituency is achieved.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for inaugurating the Student Loan Scheme, stressingthat that the president has further demonstrated a firm commitment to education by prioritizing scholarships for brilliant students across Nigeria.
He added that the initiative was a clear validation of the President’s dedication to using education as a tool for socio-economic development and preparing our youth for an increasingly challenging world.
“This conviction inspired the launch of the GNI Education Support Interventions Plan in February 2024, which is a key component of our 15-year development plan. This initiative was borne out of a genuine desire to pay more than passing attention to the glaring fall in educational placement within our Federal Constituency, particularly in Imeko Afon Local Government. One of the core focuses of this plan is direct student support and facilitation to lessen financial constraints as a barrier to academic success.
“Since its inception, the Education Support Plan has been reflected in both personal interventions and constituency projects of our dear Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka. In June 2024, we recruited 20 support teachers, strategically deployed to secondary schools across the constituency to strengthen the teaching of essential subjects such as English and Mathematics. This move has been widely welcomed, and we have heard interesting testimonies on the value added by these support teachers in the schools they are posted to within the constituency, including Community High School Ohunbe, Community High School Ebute, Iwoye-Ketu Community High School, Alaketu High School, Imeko, Nazareth High School, Imeko, Comprehensive High School Ayetoro, Eyinni Comprehensive High School in Iboro, among others. I assure you that this is only the beginning.
“Similarly, through our constituency project process, various infrastructure construction and upgrades are currently ongoing in schools located in at least ten locations within our Federal Constituency. Furthermore, we are supporting JAMB preparatory sessions in at least two locations and providing multifaceted assistance to students through mentorship programs and learning materials.
“One of the most critical aspects of our education plan is ensuring that brilliant but financially challenged students are supported, either directly by us or through the facilitation of support by our Principal, Hon. GNI. This particular scholarship exercise, which is meant only for those pursuing careers in education, began in August 2024 when we placed advertisements on social media and other platforms, inviting qualified applicants to indicate their interest. Nearly 50 candidates responded, out of which about 15 applicants who met the criteria set by the Federal Scholarship Board were shortlisted.
“The Board, in its wisdom, selected 11 candidates for scholarships lasting between two and three years, with annual grants ranging from ₦300,000 to ₦500,000. These young men and women have demonstrated remarkable academic excellence, proving that with the right support, they can achieve greatness.”at the weekend
