Ondo Speaker empowers students with scholarships, learning materials

…Urges them to shun negative influences, embrace hard work

By Tolulope Eniola

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji, has urged students in Ondo East Local Government Area to shun negative influences, embrace hard work and acquire relevant skills to prepare themselves for the challenges of the future.

Oladiji gave the charge during the fourth edition of his Mega Educational Empowerment Programme held at the Civic Centre, Bolorunduro, Ondo East Local Government Area.

The programme, which attracted students from 12 public and six private secondary schools across the local government, featured the distribution of educational materials, cash gifts and scholarships, as well as a quiz competition.

Addressing the students, the Speaker said the initiative was designed to ensure that his constituents benefited directly from the dividends of democracy, stressing that the true measure of public service was the positive impact it had on the lives of the people.

He said the programme was also aimed at bridging the gap between government policies and the people by creating opportunities for young people, women and families to improve their livelihoods.

According to him, beneficiaries of previous editions had used the support received to advance their education and businesses, improve their livelihoods and create better opportunities for their families.

Oladiji urged the students to take their education seriously and prepare for the future through diligence, skills acquisition, innovation and responsible conduct.

He said, “The future of Ondo State belongs to you. The future must be prepared for and worked for. Acquire skills, embrace innovation, shun negative influence and remain committed to peace and nation-building.”

The Speaker disclosed that the 2026 edition introduced a quiz competition among participating schools, with outstanding students to receive scholarships to support their education up to the tertiary level.

He also highlighted his scholarship intervention for constituents studying at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and the Ondo State School of Medical Sciences, describing the initiative as part of his commitment to giving back to his constituents.

Oladiji appreciated members of the planning committee, led by his Special Adviser on Youth Affairs and Engagement, Mr Akintayo Akinjolie, as well as supporters and well-wishers who had contributed to the success and expansion of the programme.

He assured constituents that the initiative would continue, adding that the State House of Assembly would collaborate with the executive and other stakeholders to promote policies supporting economic empowerment, youth development and inclusive governance across the state.

Representing the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Senior Special Assistant on Technical and Vocational Education, Mr Oluyi Tayo, commended Oladiji for sustaining the educational empowerment programme.

Oluyi described education as the bedrock of societal development, noting that investment in young people’s education was an investment in the future of the state.

He said the initiative aligned with the educational objectives of the Aiyedatiwa administration under its EASE agenda, particularly in the area of human capital development.

The governor’s aide noted that the provision of scholarships, learning materials and other educational incentives represented a practical response to some of the challenges confronting students, urging other well-meaning indigenes to emulate the initiative.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Special Adviser to the Speaker on Youth Affairs and Engagement, Mr Akintayo Akinjolie, described the programme as a fulfilment of Oladiji’s promise to his constituents.

Akinjolie said effective leadership was measured by the lives touched and opportunities created rather than by titles or positions, urging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials and opportunities provided.

In her keynote address, the Director in the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Tola Adeniyi, said the intervention had addressed some of the challenges capable of hindering students from achieving their educational goals.

Adeniyi urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the educational materials and other support provided, stressing that the opportunities should motivate them to pursue academic excellence.

The quiz competition, which formed part of the scholarship selection process, produced Kolawole Surprise of Temidire Community High School and Alimi Wareez of Sokoto Ogundele High School as the first and second runners-up, respectively, among public secondary schools.

In the private school category, Omole Deborah of Godliness Model College and Olumuyiwa Praise of Godliness Academy emerged as the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The highlight of the programme was the presentation of gifts to the quiz competition winners and the distribution of educational materials and other empowerment items to beneficiaries.

The event was attended by the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Ologede Kolawole; Chairman, Ondo North-East Local Government, Hon. Jimoh Adebayo; and a member of the Ondo State Judicial Service Commission, Hon. Rafiu Akinkuolie, among other dignitaries.

Also in attendance were traditional rulers, including the Oloba of Epe Land, Oba Yangede; the Oba-elect of Bolorunduro, Oba Prof. Akinnifesi; the Oloja of Owena, Oloja of Tepo, Oloja of Oboto, Oloja of Sasere and Oloja of Gbagenha, as well as the Chairman of all Baales in Ondo East