By Steve Oni, Ilorin
An Ilorin based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Tajudeen Olesin Foundation said it will pay school fees of two qualified students of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) and Nigerian Law School.
The foundation said it resolved to foot the tuition fees of the duo because of their inability to afford the fees.
The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mr Ibrahim Tajudeen Olesin, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the second edition of free summer lesson sponsored by the foundation for students in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The event held at Government Day Secondary School, Amule, Okelele, Ilorin also featured distribution of educational materials, presentation of computer devices and award of scholarship.
Speaking at the ceremony, Olesin said the foundation was established because of his passion and dream in looking for positive ways to contribute own quota to his immediate community, adding that the foundation also came into being as a result of his conviction that the foundation would have a multiplier effect on the society, saying “there is no better time to start than now for the children because the future of the country lies in their hands.”
He pointed out that the initiative was imperative to support the state government’s efforts in giving right education and creating a conducive environment to educate the beneficiaries of the summer lesson.
Olesin, who applauded the governments’ strive to reposition education in the state, said quality education is capital intensive and should not be left to government alone.
The founder also acknowledged the positive impact of the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, through various educational empowerments such as scholarship for outstanding graduates to purse masters degree, giving of JAMB forms and payment of WAEC fees among others.
He said: “This foundation was established as a result of my passion and dream in looking for positive ways to contribute my own quota to my community with the belief that it will have a multiplier effect on the state and the entire country. For me, there is no better time to start than now, with these great and promising children in whose hands the future of our great country lies.”
“The foundation recognized that it is imperative to support the Kwara State government’s efforts in giving right education and creating a conducive environment to educate our younger ones. As we all know, quality education is capital intensive and should not be left to government alone.
“We also acknowledge the positive impact our political leader, Senator Bukola Saraki is making through his constituency office and Kwara as a whole in all his various educational empowerments like scholarship to outstanding graduates to further their Masters degree at any University of their choice and giving of JAMB forms, paying of WAEC fees and many more. However, we believe that there are ways we can also complement all what he is doing and touch more lives by supporting these brilliant students to achieve their future dreams.
“Moreover, young men and women needed to be empowered with right education in order to deal with poverty related issues and help in opening their eyes and minds to advocate policies that will better their lives and bring development to the community, state and nation.”
Also speaking, an Ilorin based Islamic Scholar, Alhaji Zakariyau Imam Olesin, expressed concern over rising cases of cultism at all levels of education, saying it was disturbing that the menace had crept into Islamic Institutions too.
He noted that some of the youths found in cultic related groups today were either lured or coerced into it, urging parents to be responsible to the upbringing of their children.
Imam Olesin, who described education as a good legacy parents could bequeath to their children and wards, called for attitudinal change among the youth towards education.
The event featured presentation of cash reward to best students at summer lesson, distribution of educational materials as well as pledge to offset WAEC fees of some students of Senior Secondary Schools in Okelele community.
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