Sen. Tokunbo Abiru grants N30 million bursary to 600 students in the biggest-ever bursary scheme in Lagos East

The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Tokunbo Abiru has today presented a bursary award of N30 million to 600 deserving students collated from the 98 wards in the 16 LGs/LCDAs in his constituency. The students who got N50,000 each ranged from 200L to 400L in various institutions of higher learning. They were chosen for their academic prowess despite their indigent status by an independent committee, TACT Bursary Advisory Board led by Dr. Saheed Ibikunle.

Speaking during the well-attended event which took place in the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Senator Tokunbo Abiru restated: ‘The issues of young people are the core of my own legislative agenda. The minimum I believe we can do and in line with our social contract with our esteemed constituent is to provide support for their dreams in order to have full and maximum expression. I am passionate about greater good for greater number. This mantra guides my philosophy and strategy in giving a lease of life to our people within my power.

The doing good concept is to ensure it extends to greater number of people.’
‘One of the major agenda of my social contract with the good people of Lagos East Senatorial District is youth development of global readiness. This, I have sought to achieve with multi-dimensional approach through collaboration, cocreation, infrastructural intervention, and capacity building. It is a part of this that has given birth to my Annual Sen. Abiru Endowment Fund and to support and encourage our staff and students within their respective institutions of learning. That is the reason why we are here today.’

‘The objective of this scheme is to promote higher qualitative education by supporting brilliant students who have challenges in funding their education. In this maiden edition, 600 eligible students across 98 wards in 16 LGs/LCDAs in Lagos East Senatorial District were shortlisted and screened by Bursary Advisory Board which is an independent committee’, he noted.

The Special Adviser (Education) to the Governor, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab who represented the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu said: ‘For Mr. Governor, there is nothing more than investment in human capital. You can have all the resources but if you don’t have investment in education and health, you are not going anywhere.’

‘I want to thank the Distinguished Senator for this investment. With due respect, Lagos East Senatorial District we need to catch up, and catching up starts with education. What we are doing for our people today is not just investment but showing them the path and the light. We are giving 600 of our best the encouragement. The multiplier effect goes beyond this 600, it motivates the other students in the ecosystem.’

‘On behalf of the Governor, I want to say a big thank you. I know that in the past 2 years, the Governor has given the sum of N493million bursary to 27,000 students and N499million scholarship to 2,801 students but we want to keep investing. I call on all good hearted individuals to enable this gesture.’

Speaking on how they came about the scheme, the Chairman of TACT Bursary Board, Dr. Abiodun Fatai-Abatan shared: ‘My findings have shown that this bursary scheme by Sen. Tokunbo Abiru is the largest privately-funded bursary award in the history of Lagos East Senatorial District. Thank you, sir, for writing your name in gold in the heart of 600 people. The Bursary Advisory Board was inaugurated on 30th April 2021 to support indigent but brilliant students of Lagos East Senatorial District studying in tertiary institutions in Lagos state’.

Sir David Sunmoni, Pro-Chancellor of Governing Council of Lagos State University (LASU) remarked: ‘I congratulate you, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru for being a man of the people. The investment in human capital is the best investment you can make. Give a person a fish, you feed him for one day but teach him how to fish, you feed him for life. What you are doing for the people is actually teaching them how to fish.’

The Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello ‘I felicitate with Sen. Tokunbo Abiru on the occasion of formal presentation of bursary award to indigent students in institutions of higher learning in Lagos East Senatorial District. Today reminds me of the quote – a promise is a cloud, fulfillment is rain. Our distinguished senator has showered rain on some deserving students and many families. It has inspired hope and made the foundation of a beautiful tomorrow for these youths, families, Lagos East Senatorial District, and world at large.’
‘LASU as a forward thinking institution has instituted a similar thing, a 50% refund of tuition fee for all our scholars in the university. It is our way of ensuring that diligent students get all the opportunity they need to excel promoting dedication, hardwork and excellence.

The Rector of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Dr. Oluremi Olaleye represented by Deputy Rector (Academics), Dr. Olumide Metilelu said: ‘I wish to specially appreciate Sen. Tokunbo Abiru for channeling his resources in assisting students from Lagos East Senatorial District in their academic pursuit. This bursary is a source of relief on the students and their families.’

‘To you, our beloved who are privileged to receive this award, I want to congratulate you for your brilliance, hardwork and tenacity especially at a time when mnay youths have misplaced priorities. I urge you to continue in hardwork and persistence in pursuit of academic excellence. Make judicious use of this scholarship to the benefit of yourself, Lagos state, and the nation at large.’

The Chairman of the occasion and former Deputy Goveror of Lagos state, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye said: ‘Senator Abiru was my one-time branch manager at First Bank where he was singled out as an exemplary banker. He rose to be an Executive Director of the bank. He was later picked by the apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria. I wish him well in all of his endeavours.’

In his goodwill message, member of Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun said: ‘I congratulate Sen. Abiru. This is an inborn thing. I thank God that He has given me the opportunity to see what Tokunbo, the some of MAB is doing for Ikorodu’.

Royal fathers present at the event were Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi represented by Olubeshe of Ibesheland, Oba Rasheed Ogunsanya; the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Mudashiru Bakare-Agoro; Sekunmade of Ipakodo, Oba Bashir Shotonwa; Aladesona of Odo-Noforija, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali; and Oba Dr. Babatunde Ogunlaja.

The plethora of dignitaries also present include member of Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye and Hon. Jimi Benson; former member of Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade; Omoba Olumuyiwa Sosanya, member of Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC); Asipa Kaoli Olusanya; member of LASU Governing Council, Dr. Hakeem Adetugbobo; Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola; Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; Chairman, TACT Advisory Board, Chief Bode Oyedele; Chairman, TACT Bursary Board, Dr. Fatai Abiodun Abatan; and many members of TACT Advisory Board.
Others are the Commissioner of Transport, Hon. Frederic Oladeinde; Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo represented by Mrs. Margaret Solarin; and Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King. The members of Lagos House of Assembly in attendance include Hon. Okanlawon Sanni representing Speaker Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and Hon. Lateef Abiru.
Also present are Alhaji Akanni Seriki; Chairman, Conference 57, Hon. David Alabi; Hon. Wasiu Adesina, Chairman of Ikorodu LGA; Hon. Wasiu Odeyemi; Chairman of Ijede LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba; Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Sulaimon Olanrewaju; Chairman of Kosofe LGA, Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe; Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba and Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Hon. Bolanle Bada.