Poroye highlights bursary, infrastructure plans at student leaders’ meeting

The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to student welfare, infrastructure renewal, and grassroots development across its mandate areas, following engagement with student leaders from Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas.

The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders of National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS) and Federation of Ese-Odo Local Government Students (FELGOS) served as a platform to deepen dialogue on bursary disbursement, educational support, and community-based interventions, with an emphasis on transparency and sustainable development.

Addressing the gathering, OSOPADEC Executive Chairman, Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, revealed the Commission’s resolve to prioritise completion of abandoned projects over the initiation of new ones. He noted that several school and hospital projects in communities such as Mahin and Agadagba-Obon had remained uncompleted, stressing that ongoing efforts are geared towards delivering them for public use.

“We must ensure that existing projects are completed to serve the people effectively before embarking on new ones,” he said.

Poroye disclosed that the Commission is leveraging public-private partnerships to deliver critical infrastructure, including hostel facilities at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa. According to him, the initiative is designed to provide affordable accommodation for students, with a significant portion reserved for indigenes of the mandate areas.

In a forward-looking approach to youth empowerment, the Chairman urged students to embrace investment-driven initiatives, particularly in real estate and long-term ventures. He revealed that land had been allocated in areas such as Alape in Ilaje Local Government and Osi in Akure North Local Government to encourage youth participation in wealth creation, citing the success of Coastville Estate as a model.

On bursary administration, Poroye highlighted the Commission’s adoption of technology to enhance efficiency and transparency, noting that beneficiaries can now receive payment alerts without stress. He added that proposals for bursary increments had been forwarded to the state government for consideration.

The Chairman further disclosed that the Commission has concluded plans to disburse ₦400 million as palliative for relief materials to residents of Obe-Nla, Obe-Adun, and Obe-Jedo, assuring that strict accountability measures have been put in place to guarantee transparency and equitable disbursement.

“Every kobo allocated will be accounted for. Public funds must serve the collective interest,” he stated, adding that area office directors would supervise the process.

He also outlined ongoing interventions in water supply and waterways maintenance, stressing that prudent management of resources remains central to the Commission’s operations.

In his remarks, the National President of the National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS), Comrade Eyiwumi Dare Joshua on behalf of the students commended the Commission’s leadership style, describing it as inclusive and result-oriented. He pledged continued cooperation from the student body to sustain the gains recorded.

Similarly, OSOPADEC Permanent Secretary, Mr. Festus Adewale Omomowo, lauded the students for their maturity and constructive engagement, noting that their approach had fostered mutual understanding and progress.

Earlier, the Director of Community Welfare, Comrade Kayode Ebiseni, said the meeting was convened to review the recently concluded 2023/2024 bursary scheme and flag off preparations for the 2024/2025 edition. He added that the engagement also provided an opportunity for new student executives to formally interface with the Commission’s leadership.

Ebiseni reaffirmed OSOPADEC’s longstanding role as a critical intervention agency for students in the oil-producing areas, commending successive student leaders for sustaining a culture of dialogue over agitation.